Robert Fitzsimmons Sr.
Robert L. Fitzsimmons Sr., 87, Brainerd, passed away Thursday, March 24, 2005, at his home. He was born on Feb. 13, 1918, in Leaf River Township, Wadena County, Minn., to Harry and Ruth (Sanborn) Fitzsimmons. He worked for N.P. Railroad from 1933-1942. He then served in the U.S. Coast Guard from Jan. 6, 1942, to Jan. 8, 1947, in the North Atlantic aboard an ice breaker and was based out of Boston. He married Catherine "Mickey" Schutt on May 26, 1952, in Watertown, S.D. He was a Cass County deputy for Madden's and the Pine Beach area. He was a patrolman with the Brainerd Police Department for 28 years. He was a life member of VFW Post No. 1647 of Brainerd, a 57-year member of American Legion Post No. 255 of Brainerd, Mid-MN Federal Credit Union where he served on the supervisory board for 19 years. He was a member of Young at Hearts and also a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Brainerd where he served on the board of finance for six years.
Robert Fitzsimmons Sr.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Catherine "Mickey" Fitzsimmons, of Brainerd; his sons, Raye (Iryna) Farrar, of Champlin, Minn., and Robert Fitzsimmons Jr. (Eva), of Brainerd; his daughter, Cheryl Lee (Carlos) Martinez, of League City, Texas; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother and three sisters.
Services will be held Saturday, March 26, 2005, at 11 a.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church with Pastor Paul Biegner officiating. Interment will be in Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Camp Ripley. Military graveside rites will be provided by VFW Post No. 1647 of Brainerd.
Memorials are preferred to the Zion Lutheran Church building fund.
Arrangements are with Halvorson-Johnson Funeral Home in Brainerd.