Robert Nicholas 'Robert N. Fitzpatrick' Fitzpatrick

The hero of "one great Irish American family," Robert N. Fitzpatrick, 86, died peacefully on November 13, 2013, and sleeps in glory. Born August 31, 1927, in Detroit, MI, "Fitz" was the son of the late Frank and Grace Fitzpatrick. He is survived by his beloved wife, Alice, who took his hand in marriage 57 years ago. Their seven loving children include Kathleen (Bill) Snyder of Wichita, KS; the late Robert Jr. (Mary) of Edmond, OK; Colleen (Bob) Costello of Edmond, OK; Martha (Jeff) Justice of Oklahoma City, OK; Brian (Carol) of Eagan, MN; Patrick (Marla) of St. Louis, MO; and Daniel (Suzanne) of Edmond, OK. He is also survived by his sister, Margaret Rogers of Bradenton, FL. He is now re-united with his eldest son, Bobby, his brothers Fran and Paul and sister, Mary Grace Capuzzi. Believing wholeheartedly that "every child is a story waiting to be told," he marveled at his 17 grandchildren—Elle, Dean and Erin Fitzpatrick; Conor, Daniel and Quinn Costello; Blaise and Brynn Justice; Andy, Jeff and Kristen Fitzpatrick; Haley, Leann and Ryan Fitzpatrick; and Hugh, Brogan and Charles Fitzpatrick, all of whom heard many stories and shared many memories with Grandpa. After serving in the U.S. Navy in 1945-46, he attended the University of Detroit, graduating with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology in 1950. The following year, he joined the Federal Bureau of Investigation, where he served as a Special Agent/Supervisor in the Seattle, Detroit and Oklahoma City Divisions. After 27 years of service with the FBI, he retired in Oklahoma City. In 1977, he joined Mercy Health Center as Executive Assistant to the President, a position he held for 10 years. In 1988-89, he served as Director of Security for Oklahoma Centennial Sports, Inc./U.S. Olympic Festival-'89. He attended breakfast meetings as a member of The Fortune Club and proudly served as the Club's Secretary/Treasurer for the last 33 years. He was a member of the Board of Trustees and Chairman of the Oklahoma City Zoo Trust, a board member and past president of the Oklahoma Zoological Society and member of the boards of the Mental Health Association of Central Oklahoma and the March of Dimes. He enjoyed nothing more than being "Up North" in Michigan with his family, reading books, making people laugh and enjoying life and creating memories that will live on in those he touched. Visitation will be held from 3:00-6:00 p.m. at Smith & Kernke, 14624 N. May Ave., in OKC on Monday, November 18. A mass celebrating Bob Fitzpatrick's life will be held Tuesday, November 19 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 900 S. Littler Ave., Edmond, OK. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation for Cancer Research, omrf.org/donation-form. He was a lighthearted man for whom uncomplicated happiness came easily. May he be at peace with the Lord he loved so well.