Leo J. Fitzgerald

Leo J. Fitzgerald, 93, died peacefully Sunday, October 12, 2025 at his home in the care of his loving family. He was the husband of the late Nancy J. Fitzgerald, with whom he shared 61 years of marriage.

Born in Somerville Massachusetts on March 23,1932, Leo was the son of Leo and Katherine (St. George) Fitzgerald. He was raised and educated in Cambridge, Mass by his grandmother after the loss of both parents by the age of 9. Known as “Sonny St. George” Leo grew up loved and happy beside his aunts and uncles with whom he remained close throughout his life.

After graduating in 1953 with an MBA from Boston College, Leo “Fitz” served our country in the US Army 3rd Armored Division before an injury caused him to be transferred to USAR to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC he served as chaplain’s assistant and met his future bride Nancy, the chaplain’s niece. The couple settled in Lynn, Massachusetts where Leo worked at General Electric as a Project Management Specialist for more than 50 years. Leo also taught business management classes for 27 years at Northeastern University and at Merrimack College. In his 13 years as adjunct faculty at North Shore Community College he introduced intensive courses, creating the opportunity for veterans to be full-time students in just 2 nights a week.

Leo liked to play tennis, ski and work in his back yard. He created a beautiful space where his family and friends gathered. Neighbors could always find Leo there in his dirty jeans and tee shirt planting trees and joked that he would plant them if they stood still long enough. Leo and Nancy enjoyed cruises of which Leo’s most memorable was an Atlantic crossing on the QE 2. In later years he loved attending the Danvers Senior Center where he made special friendships among the staff and other seniors. Leo enjoyed listening to Frank Sinatra and watching reruns of his favorite TV show, Perry Mason. His favorite pastime and greatest joy was spending time with his grandchildren.

Leo leaves his children, Jeanne and Brian Clawson of Ipswich, Nancy Fitzgerald Doherty of Beverly, Susan Fitzgerald of Marblehead, and John Fitzgerald of Danvers; four grandchildren, Erin, Sean, Connor, and Kara Doherty and his beloved chihuahua Peanuts. He also leaves behind the “Kelley Kids”, Barry St. George, many nieces and nephews and close friends James Doherty, Ray Gauthier, Honin (Richard) Kolosky and Al Mullin, all of whom brought him laughter, love and friendship. He was predeceased by his infant son, Sean Fitzgerald.

Leo was a Danvers resident and devoted communicant at Saint Mary of the Annunciation Church for more than 60 years.

His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, October 20, 2025 at 10:30 a.m., in Saint Mary of the Annunciation Church, 24 Conant St., Danvers. Burial will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden. Relatives and friends are invited. Visiting hours are Sunday, October 19 from 4 to 7 p.m., in C.R. Lyons & Sons Funeral Directors, 28 Elm St., Danvers. In lieu of flowers, donations in Leo’s memory may be made to Operation Troop Support, 16 Trinity St., Danvers, MA 01923. Online directions and condolences are available at www.LyonsFuneral.com.