James Leo Fitzgerald, 64, Enjoyed the outdoors

Mr. Fitzgerald was born, August 18, 1940 in Pittsburgh and had lived in Sheffield Lake the past 33 years.

A graduate of Brookside High School, Mr. Fitzgerald worked as a foreman for A-I Welding, Lorain. He retired in March of 2002 after 25 years. He also served as a Sheffield Lake Volunteer Fireman in the 1970s.

Mr. Fitzgerald was described by his family as someone who enjoyed the outdoors. He enjoyed gardening, bird watching and photography. He also was a motorcycle enthusiast, as well as, a Mr. Fix-it and he enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Sally A. (nee Watling) whom he married, December 28, 1968. Other survivors include 2 sons: Bobby Lawyer of Elyria and James Biltz (Lisa) of Lorain; 2 daughters, Mary Fitzgerald (Paul) of Lorain and Donna Fitzgerald of Lorain.

He is also survived by 5 grandchildren: Joshua, Jamie, Nate, Casey and Gabriel; 3 sisters: Arlene "Cookie" Jurgens (Ric) of Portland, OR, Alice Berry (John) of Escondido, CA and Pat Smithberger (Keith) of GA and a brother Lee Fitzgerald (Tarni) of Perry. He is preceded in death by his parents, Leo James and Adelaide M. (nee Sorg) Fitzgerald and a brother Bert Fitzgerald.

Friends may call at the Busch Funeral Home, 163 Avon-Belden Rd., Avon Lake, Wednesday, November 3 from 6-8 p.m. Prayers Service at the Funeral Home, Thursday, November 4 at 9:45 a.m. followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 521 Harris Rd., Sheffield Lake at 10:30am. Fr. Stephen Shields of the Church will officiate. Cremation by Busch Crematory. Interment will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, Avon. Memorial Contributions may be forwarded to the Lorain County MetroParks, 12882 Diagonal Road, Lagrange, OH 44050.

For more information, to view and online memorial or to send a condolence, go to www.buschfuneral.com.