Obituary of William J. Fitzgerald

William J. Fitzgerald, 80, entered into eternal life Monday morning, October 21, 2024 surrounded by his loving family.

Bill was proudly raised on 99th Street in the Bay Ridge section of Brooklyn, NY and he'd never let you forget that. Once marrying the love of his life, Annie, they settled in New Jersey, raising their family in Montville Township before recently moving to Boonton, NJ.

Bill aka Mr. Fitz or "Coach" earned his Associates Degree from Cisco Junior College (Cisco, TX), his Bachelors of Science in Business Administration from Southern Colorado State (Pueblo, CO), and his Masters Degree in Physical Education from Columbia University in New York.

A lifelong educator and football coach, he began his tenure at Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary grammar school in Brooklyn, NY, and subsequently spent 33 years in the Secaucus, NJ School District.

Bill was a transformational mentor as both a teacher and coach and relationships with his players and students meant the world to him. He began his football coaching career at Poly Prep in Brooklyn, followed by the United States Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, NY; Secaucus High School; St. Peter's Prep and Dumont High School. After multiple football "retirements," Coach came out one last time to assist the head coach - his son Billy - at Seton Hall Prep.

He also worked with the NY Giants Pro Scouting Department, and was instrumental, alongside his best friend, John Dockery, in facilitating the Joe Namath - John Dockery Instructional Football Camp for 47 years. In four decades, the only game Coach Fitz ever got ejected from was his daughter Caitlin's elementary school softball championship.

A devout Roman Catholic, Bill was baptized and taught by Dominican nuns at St. Patrick's in Bay Ridge Brooklyn. As an adult, Bill was a parishioner of St. Pius X R.C. Church in Montville, NJ, where he also served as President of the PTA and coached basketball and softball at the parish school. Most recently, he was a parishioner at Our Lady of Mount Carmel R.C. Church in Boonton, NJ.

Bill spent every day living for his family. He was a dedicated husband, father, uncle, Godfather, cousin, brother-in-law, and grandfather. Preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Sr. and Anna (nee Posochowicz) Fitzgerald; and four siblings, Thomas Jr., Patricia, Rita Hynes, and Maureen Heaney; and brother-in-law Carmine Rubino. William is survived by his beloved wife of 46 years, Antoinette (nee Rubino); his loving children, William Jude and wife, Katharine of Hoboken, NJ, Meghan Mary Fitzgerald and significant other Dominic Sorce of Lake Hopatcong, NJ, and Caitlin Marie Ferrari and husband Dan of Boonton, NJ; three dear siblings, Elizabeth Piccirillo, James Fitzgerald, and Barbara Burrows; sister-in-law Felicia Rubino Drasheff and husband Steve. Bill will also be missed by many cousins, 23 nieces and nephews, numerous grand nieces and nephews and countless friends.

Bill's true pride and joy was his cherished grandson, Daniel Ferrari, allowing him to start the coaching cycle he loved all over again. Daniel was blessed to spend almost every day with his "Papa". He learned to kick, throw and hit every type of ball known to man. Bill most recently enjoyed attending Daniel's flag football practices.

For many summers, Bill & Annie gathered their family at Bradley Beach, creating memories that will be treasured forever. Bill was fondly loved by all who were blessed to know him and hear his unmatched quick wit and classic one-liners. He lived his faith every day and his lightheartedness will never be forgotten. He was truly a man for others.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Visitation on Thursday, October 24, 2024 from 2:00pm to 8:00pm at S.J. Priola Parsippany Funeral Service, Lake Hiawatha, NJ. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, October 25, 2024, 11:00am at Our Lady of Mount Carmel R.C. Church, Boonton, NJ. Private Cremation will follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family would be grateful for memorial gifts to the following: Maureen Heaton Foundation (https://maureenheatonfoundation.org), the Montville Township First Aid Squad or the Boonton Kiwanis Volunteer Ambulance Squad in William's memory.

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