James Fitzsimons, age 98, of Cochranville, PA went to be with our Lord on July 21, 2023, after a 13 year-long battle with Alzheimer’s. James died as he lived, fighting the good fight until the end and he is now at peace with our Lord.
James was preceded in death by his Parents Bartholomew and Mary Kate Fitzsimons; wife Kathleen (Murphy) Fitzsimons; wife Julia W. Fitzsimons; His siblings Maureen, Augustus, and Oliver Fitzsimons; his sister Helen Fitzsimons Coyle; his grandson Ryan Michael Fitzsimons; and his son-in-law Stanley Liedel.
James is survived by his six children: James Gerard (Susan), Marian, Bartholomew (Diane), Kathleen Liedel, Kenneth, and Kevin Fitzsimons (Kimberly). James is survived by his brothers Bartholomew and Joseph Fitzsimons (Nancy). James is survived by his seventeen grandchildren: Will, Scott, Erin, and Kevin Liedel, Shannon L. Swanda, Brian, Scott, Jared, Patrick, Karen, Kenneth II, Sarah, Colin, Sean, and Katie Fitzsimons, Dierdre Reed, and Tara Hughes.
He is also survived by ten great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
James was born in County Westmeath, Ireland in 1925. Over the years, James lived in Ireland, England, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Florida and finally to Pennsylvania for the last 5 years of his life.
James had an eclectic working life, he worked as a farmer for years in Ireland, then as a double-decker bus driver in Manchester, England, A window washer in New York and New Jersey, where he operated his own window washing business. He opened a small toy store in Delaware and finally ended up working the last 17 years of his professional life for Concord Beverage in Concord PA.
At 68, he retired and he and his first wife, Kathleen retired to Florida to enjoy their golden years. When Kathleen passed away, James was lucky enough to find another wonderful woman, Julia Wills, to care for him until her death 16 years later.
Friends may call from 10-11 a.m. on Friday, July 28, 2023 at McCrery & Harra Funeral Homes, 3710 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, DE 19808.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11:30 a.m., also on Friday, July 28, 2023 at St. John the Beloved Catholic Church, 907 Milltown Rd., Wilmington, DE 19808. Burial will follow in All Saints Cemetery, 6001 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, DE 19808.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601, or you may make an online tribute donation on the Alzheimer’s Association webpage.
For online condolences visit: www.mccreryandharra.com
