Harry Timothy Fitzgerald

Boonville- Harry Timothy Fitzgerald, 83, of Charles Street, husband of Melanie, passed away at his residence, on Friday, May 9, 2025, while surrounded by his loving wife, children, and siblings.

Affectionately known as “Tim” he was born in Lowville, on July 16, 1941, a son of Harry Gould and Gladys Sullivan Fitzgerald. He grew up on North Pearl St., Port Leyden and graduated from Port Leyden Central School, with the Class of 1959. While in high school, he enjoyed playing Soccer, Basketball and Baseball and was elected president of his class for his junior and senior high school years.

After high school, Tim furthered his education attending Mohawk Valley Technical Institute, Utica, where he earned an Associate Degree in Business and later attended night classes at Utica College, where he studied business courses.

On July 3, 1965, Tim was united in marriage with the love of his life, Melanie Sweeney, at St. Joseph’s Church, Boonville. They celebrated 59 loving years in 2024.

While in high school and college, Tim was employed for Mercer’s Dairy, Boonville in milk and milk products delivery. He also worked at Snow Ridge. In 1965, he began employment in the finishing room at Georgia Pacific Paper Company, Lyons Falls. Over his 27 year career at the paper company, he advanced to plant Traffic Manager and Head of Production Control, retiring in 1992 due to illness from Lyons Falls Pulp and Paper. Tim was very proud of the fact that when he had to retire, the company needed three people to replace him.

Tim was a member of St. Joseph’s Church, Boonville, Boonville Council Knights of Columbus and Boonville Elks Lodge B.P.O.E. # 5158. Being involved in Education was important during Tim’s life. He served on the Adirondack Central School Board of Education for many years, including the position of school board president. Tim was instrumental in the startup of Boonville’s AYSO soccer program, in which he coached for several years.

When he was not at work or otherwise occupied, Tim greatly enjoyed spending time at his family hunting camp, Bucktail Camp. This hunting camp was founded by Tim’s father, Harry and Tim’s uncle, Donald Beck. Tim also enjoyed being in the woods taking pictures of anything he found interesting. It was accurately said that, “Tim was more interested in shooting photos and just being in the woods, than shooting deer.” He also enjoyed looking at pictures and photo albums of family, friends, and newspaper clippings which he compiled and treasured over the years.

Tim especially loved and was proud of his Irish heritage. He traveled to Ireland with his family several times. He was also a longtime, faithful Boston Red Sox fan and enjoyed watching the games both in person and on TV. He was a true fan, enjoying watching them whether they won or lost. His collection of Red Sox memorabilia and apparel is legendary. In fact, he wore Red Sox apparel almost every day. When the Red Sox won the World Series in 2004, he called each of his children to say, “We did it! We did it! We finally did it!”

Tim was also a great lover of dogs of all kinds, especially his childhood canine friends, “Shaggy,” and “Skippy,” and the dogs he had as an adult, “Kasey, Jasper, and Yukon.” All his dogs loved him just as much as the donuts that just happened to fall out of his hand onto the floor for them to clean up.

Despite Tim’s disability from an accident-induced stroke at 50 years old and doctor’s saying he would never walk or talk again (but they forgot to tell him that), he persevered, never complained, never gave up working on staying independent, and kept a good attitude about everything. He was looked up to by many because of his will to not only survive, but to make the most of and enjoy life. He enjoyed the simple things like going for car rides , reading The Night Before Christmas with his grandkids every Christmas Eve, thoroughly enjoying a cheeseburger and a chocolate milkshake, watching the Red Sox on a summer night, practical jokes with his siblings, and just being at home with family.

In addition to his wife, Melanie, Tim is survived by his children, daughters: Kelly(Mark) Gage, Kristin Fitzgerald, Tracy(Darren) Deis, and son: Ryan Timothy Fitzgerald; his grandchildren, Meghan Gage, Amy Gage Dewalt, Kevin Fitzgerald Gage, and Macy Capron; siblings: Joanne (Irv) Sattler, Mike (Barb) Fitzgerald, Kathy (Larry) Mathis, Sue (Mike) Donnelly, and Sandy Fitzgerald; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, John and Patty Franco; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. He is predeceased by two brothers, Patrick and Larry John.

Tim’s family wishes to extend a special thank you to his much loved and devoted caretakers, Deb Jackson and Colleen Dorrity. The family would also like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at Lewis County General Hospital, Wynn Hospital, and Hospice for their wonderful care and compassion.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, May 15, from 4:00 – 7:00 pm at Trainor Funeral Home, Inc., 143 Schuyler St., Boonville. Funeral services will be a Mass of Christian Burial at 12:00 Noon at St. Joseph’s Church, Charles Street, Boonville, with Rev. Matthew Rawson officiating. Interment will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery.

Following the services, all are invited to attend a Celebration of Tim’s Life at the Harland J. Hennessey V.F.W., Park Ave, Boonville, beginning at 1:30 PM on Friday.

The family would like to express much gratitude and appreciation to Boonville Ambulance for their tender loving care of Tim over the last few years. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Boonville Fire Company Ambulance Fund, PO Box 164, Boonville, NY 13309, or in Tim’s memory, treat yourself to his favorite meal, a cheeseburger and a chocolate shake.