Lawrence E. Fitzsimmons

Lawrence E. Fitzsimmons of Edgewater Park passed away Friday February 12, 2021 at Virtua Hospital in Willingboro at the age of 85.  He was born in Yonkers, NY on October 1, 1935 to the late Lawrence and Jane (nee Slavin) Fitzsimmons.  Lawrence grew up in the Bronx, NY and was a graduate of Fordham Prep High School in 1954.  He married Patricia Gould on August 17, 1957 and they enjoyed 63 years of marital happiness.  Larry graduated from Fordham University in 1958, majoring in history.  In college he was a member of the ROTC, the National Society of Pershing Rifles and was a member of the sailing team.  After college he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the US Army.  He served thirteen months in Korea with the 5th US Calvary Regiment.  After Korea he earned his Parachutist Badge in jump school at Ft. Benning, GA.  He then earned his green beret and served with the 77th Special Forces Group Airborne and the 7th Special Forces Group Airborne out of Ft. Bragg, NC.  After the military, he moved to Willingboro, NJ and worked for over 40 years in the insurance industry as an underwriter, marketing representative, Vice President, President and taught insurance classes.  He obtained his pilot’s license and enjoyed time spent flying.  He was a fan of football and rooted for the NY Giants.  He was a member of the Corpus Christi Parish in Willingboro and participated in their Seniors Club.  He belonged to the Knights of Columbus and enjoyed working at their family breakfasts.  He was also involved in the community as a member of the Willingboro Jaycees.  He and Pat liked to travel.  They went on trips to Ireland, Alaska, Mexico and the Panama Canal.  They also found time to take the grandkids to Disney World.  After retirement he moved to Burlington Township to be closer to the grandchildren.  He was very proud of both his children’s and grandchildren’s accomplishments; he encouraged and supported their endeavors in school, sports and other activities.  The grandchildren enjoyed his reciting of the poem, The Cremation of Sam McGee.  They also liked watching Jeopardy with him and trying to beat him at it, which would be difficult if the categories were history, opera or classical music.  He enjoyed woodworking and building things.  He made furniture, built sheds, porches, and winter skating rinks in the backyard.  He built several wooden ship models and was proud of his fleet.  He enjoyed the opera and liked to listen to it on Saturday afternoons, to the dismay of the children who did not share the same fondness for that type of music.  He liked to read books and magazines, especially on the back porch while listening to classical music.  He enjoyed history and mystery books.  He liked to go to museums and historical places.  Just this past summer he was climbing up and down the stairs of the Battleship New Jersey.  Everyone looked forward to Wednesday nights as that was always pizza night at his house.  In addition to his parents, Lawrence was also predeceased by his sister Jane Frawley, brother Walter Fitzsimmons and son Thomas Fitzsimmons.  He is survived by his wife Patricia, son Steve Fitzsimmons, daughter Kerin Pearson, grandchildren; Samantha Cronce (Anthony), Elizabeth Petnicki, Kaitlin Pierce (Matt), Shannon Fitzsimmons, Christopher Pearson, Sean Fitzsimmons (Fiancee Bridget) and Casey Fitzsimmons, great grandson Nico Cronce and great granddaughter BP on the way.  He is also survived by his brother John Fitzsimmons and many nieces, nephews and other family members.  A walk through viewing will be held from 5-8pm Sunday February 21, 2021 and from 8:45-9:45am Monday February 22, 2021 at the Page Funeral Home, 302 E. Union St., Burlington.  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:30am Monday in Corpus Christi R.C. Church, 11 S. Sunset Rd., Willingboro.  Interment with military honors will follow in the Brig. Gen. William C. Doyle Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery, Provinceline Rd. Wrightstown.  Donations made to St. Francis Inn, Attn: Sister Leslie, 2441 Kensington Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19125 in memory of Larry Fitzsimmons, wife of Pat, members of the Corpus Christi Seniors Club would be appreciated by his family. 

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