James L. Fitzsimmons

November 23, 2012

WATERTOWN, N.Y.  —  James L. Fitzsimmons, 84, of 221 Eastern Blvd., passed away Thursday morning, Nov. 22, at his home.

James was born June 18, 1928, in Theresa, the son of James and Alice M. Dorr Fitzsimmons. 

He enlisted in the Navy on Jan. 24, 1946, attending Training Center in Camp Perry, Williamsburg, Va., and was honorably discharged Dec. 14, 1947.  He enlisted in the Navy Reserve until February 1954 when he then enlisted in the US Army Reserve 314th MPC and was discharged in February 1958.

He married Jennie Marie Brough on Aug. 10, 1963, in Morristown, N.Y.

In November 1973 he enlisted in the US Army Reserves 479th Engineers and retired as Master Sergeant of HQ, 98th Div. in November 1988. He served as Army Civilian Policeman at Ft. Drum from 1952 to 1954. In June 1988 he retired Federal Service 98th Div. Equipment Concentration Site as equipment operator and as operator/inspector Dept. of the Army Civilian Mobile Equipment at Ft. Drum.

He is survived by a step-daughter, Mrs. Lee (Barbara) Lavarnway, Watertown; a sister, Delores Fitzsimmons, Dexter; a sister-in-law, Marsha Fitzsimmons, Canton; three brothers and their wives, Michael and Gladys Fitzsimmons, Florida, Patrick and Mary Fitzsimmons, N. Carolina, and Carl and Elsie Fitzsimmons, Theresa; several nieces, nephews, cousins and step-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his wife, Jennie, in 2004, a brother, Eugene, also in 2004, and his parents.

He was a member of Watertown American Legion Post 61, International Union of Operating Engineers, N.Y. State Sherriffs Assoc., N.Y. State Democratic Committee, Northside Improvement League, US Navy Memorial Foundation , AUSA, and Knights of Columbus.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 26, at Johnson Funeral Home, Dexter, with Rev. Michael Gaffney of Immaculate Conception Church, Brownville, officiating. Burial will be in Dexter Cemetery. Calling hours will be 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 25. 

Donations may be made to the National Nieman-Pick Disease Foundation, P.O. Box 49, Ft. Atkinson, Wisconsin 53538.

Information provided by Johnson Funeral Home and Newzjunky, Watertown, N.Y.