John "Jack" Fitzgerald, 71, died suddenly at home Saturday afternoon, December 2, 2017, with his wife by his side. Jack was born June 13, 1946 in Bronx, NY, the son of Edward and Eileen (Handley) Fitzgerald. His family moved to Rochelle Park, NJ, when he was young, and he grew up there with his sisters and good friends, hanging around at Arcola Pool and the Sandpit. Jack was a graduate of Hackensack High School, Hackensack, NJ, class of 1965. After high school he served in the United States Marine Corps. He felt fortunate to have been stationed on Vieques Island, Puerto Rico during the Vietnam War, and was very proud of having served our country. On April 1, 1973, he married Suzanne Haeser at St. Josephs Church in Bogota, NJ. Their wedding date perfectly reflected who he was -- always a jokester. Jack and Suzanne spent their early years together in New Jersey and in 1979 moved to Salisbury, Vermont, where he spent the next almost 40 years of his life. While he could never lose the name "flatlander," Vermont was certainly where his heart was. He loved being outside, taking care of the pigs, cows and chickens, or riding on his motorcycle, but most of all, summers by the pool with ZZ Top blasting away in the background. He founded Business Telephone Systems (BTS) in the early 1980s and loved making the rounds in town, especially at Middlebury College. When he became sick, his sons, John and Jim, took over the business which was very gratifying and a great source of pride for Jack. He was a storyteller by nature and could often be found at Middlebury Beef in the mornings or Amigos on Friday nights telling one of his tales. Jack loved being surrounded by his family, most notably his ten grandchildren who knew him as "Pa." He took great pride in his children and his work, and cherished the community around Middlebury. Jack was a member of St. Marys Catholic Church. In his later years, he spent a few days a week at Elderly Services Project Independence. Jack was an avid reader, enjoyed playing chess and never lost his love of Harleys, classic cars and hot rods. He is survived by his wife Suzanne Fitzgerald of Salisbury; by his children, Kelly Griffin and husband Patrick of Essex, VT, John Fitzgerald and wife Casey of Salisbury, James Fitzgerald of Addison, Kate Nelson and husband Rowan of Weybridge, and Kristine Fitzgerald and companion Alex Hurt of Livingston, MT. Also by his two sisters, Maura Lester and husband Sam of New Haven and Eileen Hodges and companion Bill Coleman of Rochelle Park, NJ. Also by his grandchildren Jayden, Reese, Willow, Aidan, Nilah, Stella, Jack, Alexandra, Harper, and Georgia. He was predeceased by his parents. Visiting hours will be held on Friday, December 8, 2017 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Sanderson-Ducharme Funeral Home, located at 117 South Main Street, Middlebury. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, December 9, 2017, at 10 a.m. at St. Marys Catholic Church with the Rev. Luke Austin as the celebrant. Burial will follow in St. Marys Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Elderly Services Project Independence at 112 Exchange Street, Middlebury, VT 05753, or to Special Olympics Vermont, 16 Gregory Drive, Suite 2, South Burlington, VT 05403-6015. Arrangements are under the direction of the Sanderson-Ducharme Funeral Home. Online condolences at www.sandersonfuneralservice.com SERVICES Visitation Friday, December 8, 2017 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM Sanderson-Ducharme Funeral Home 117 South Main St Middlebury, VT 05753 Funeral Service Saturday, December 9, 2017 10:00 AM St. Mary's Church 326 College St Middlebury, VT 05753