Robert Fitzgibbon
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Greece: September 11, 2013 at age 80. Robert is survived by his wife of 55 years, Dianne T. Fitzgibbon; sons, Michael T. (Maggie) Fitzgibbon & John P. (Cynthia) Fitzgibbon; daughters, Mary P. (John) Marianetti & Maureen A. (William) Wagner; grandchildren, Caitlin (Tom), Mairead (Rich), Shauna, Sophia, Evan, Ila, Abby, Anna, Oliver, Noah, Lucy, Molly & Lilian; sister, Mary K. ‘Kit’ Kiah; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; many dear friends. Robert is a Veteran of the United States Navy. He was involved in many National, State and Local Educational Organizations and was very active in the Mother of Sorrows Parish for many years. Robert retired as Assistant Superintendent of the Greece Central School District in 1989, after 32 years of service. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him. Friends may call Sunday, September 15th, 1-5 P.M. at Vay-Schleich & Meeson Funeral Home, Greece Chapel, 1075 Long Pond Road. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated, Monday, September 16th, 11:00 A.M. at Our Mother of Sorrows Church, 5000 Mt. Read Blvd. Interment will be held privately in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made the Greece Educational Foundation (GreeceGiving.com), PO Box 217, North Greece NY 14515-0217 or to Our Mother of Sorrows Church (MotherOfSorrows.net) in his memory.
Bob was a good friend ,a wonderful teacher, and a valued and respected colleague.His Irish charm,wit,and good humor brightened all our days.He was committed, and dedicated to his profession, and to his students. We will miss him
Diane – Brian and I extend our deepest sympathy. Prayers for you and your family.
I first met Bob when my neighbor Mary introduced her father to me. He was a wonderful man (father & grandfather) who loved his family very much. My prayers are with your family at this difficult time. Cathy Semrau
We have alot of great memories of the Fitzgibbon family ..they use to live next door to the Ritchie’s..Bob was always up to something whether it was belting out an Irish tune (sometimes just to get my father in law 🙂 or singing to David when he was seeing a girl Kathleen..
He always had a smile or a joke..and was a very caring thoughtful man..
Our prayers and thoughts go out to Diane and the whole family..it’s a great loss & I’m happy we had the opportunity to know him..
Love and prayers..
Karen & Ian Ritchie
We want to share with you, Dianne, your beautiful children, and grandchildren our deep sadness for losing our wonderful friend- Bob. We will always remember him for his warmth, wit, and wisdom. He lived a full life dedicated to his family, friends, church, Greece community and all the kids who listened and learned through his masterful ways of teaching.
We thank God for him and what he has meant to those he touched.
Viera, FL
We will always remember Bob’s warmth, smile and hugs. We will miss him dearly until we see him again! Our love and prayers to the entire family!
Bob ‘Fitz’ was one of the MOST respected central office administrators during my tenure (1972-2005) as a teacher in the GCSD. He took the time to know MANY of the teachers in the district (along with Dave Robinson) on ‘FIRST NAME’ basis,thus endearing himself to those of us that he came in contact with.His classes in the Professional Development were absolute classics! Rest in Peace,Bob! Dave
Dianne, My deepest sympathy to you and your family. Yes Bob, will be missed. He always had a hug for everyone and of course a joke to tell.You and your family are in my prayers.
I was blessed to meet Bob when I took his class on my way to my teaching certificate. I had the pleasure of keeping in contact with him and seeing him at mass. Anyone who knew him was very lucky to have him touch their life. His kindness and wonderful sense of humor will be greatly missed!
My deepest sympathies and prayers to his family.
The world has lost a true gem! How blessed I am to have crossed paths with Bob and the ‘FItz’ family. My life is richer having known him. My deep sorrow is lightened just a bit with memories of all the smiles and laughter Bob brought to everyone who knew him. He is reunited above with his buddy Gene…no doubt making up for lost time and dreaming up some shenanigans!! My love and prayers to the entire Family! We love you all!
Dear Diane,
I think back to 50 years ago when Bob invited me to your home (at the time just off Mt. Read Blvd.) following our interview for my position in his Science Department. This began a long relationship with Bob as both professional colleague and good friend.
Bob’s friendly, sincere and warm nature touched my life in many ways.
Warm regards,
Tony D’Imperio
I remember Mr. Fitzgibbon as a teacher at Greece Arcadia High School.
He worked hard on the Catholic Diocese’s CMA, and was very active at Our Mother of Sorrows Parish. He was a great speaker and had a great sense of humor. He will be sadly missed at Our Mother of Sorrows Parish. I suspect he may of had something to do with Notre Dame’s Fighting Irish football teams win over Purdue’s Boiler Makers. Now instead of doing work for the Catholic Diocese of Rochester, he has been moved upstairs to work for the Senior Almighty Management.
As the Irish say: ‘May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be always at your back, may the sun shine warm upon your face, the rains fall soft upon you fields, and until we meet again may God hold in the palm of his hand.’
God has blessed you Mr. Fitzgibbons.
I was so saddened to read of Bob’s passing. Although it’s been decades since our school lives intercepted, I never will forget Bob’s wisdom, kindness, sense of humor and — especially — commitment to making learning a lifelong endeavor. My sincere condolences to his family.
I’ll always remember Bob through all our different committee meetings and especially the re-organization of the Greece District schools into K-2, 3-5 Schools. We spent many endless hours researching & developing what would be the best learning environment for ‘our kids’. That & many other times discussing & implementing new ideas for children. He was always looking for the best for kids & supported every decision that was relevant to that happening. He was perhaps the best administrator I ever worked with in my 34 years in the Greece District. He was very supportive of students, staff & parents. A superb administrator, dedicated person & great to work with! Rest in peace, Bob!
Sorry we were unable to make the services. Our deepest sympathy and prayers are with you and the family. Bob will be greatly missed. We talked to him recently at The Greece Town Tastings & shared a few laughs.
As I try to type this message, I find I am without words (not my usual state!) — so I will just say God has blessed us all with the likes of Bob Fitzgibbon, and this earth will be a quieter and less joyful place without his wit and wisdom. Bob was my mentor and friend, who taught me sooo-o-o much about leadership, laughter, loyalty, and love of people! Rest in God’s peace, Bob, and know you changed our world for the better!
Bob Fitzgibbon was one of my all-time favorite professors at SUNY Brockport where I did my Master’s Degree. He taught the best classroom management course I ever took and modeled every element that he asked teachers to create. I was fortunate enough to stay in touch with Bob for a short while after that and he helped to train many teachers in Fairport with ideas from that same course. It was kind of neat to learn that he was also related to MaryJo Marianetti, whom I loved worked with at St. Joseph’s Villa in Greece years ago. Rest in peace, Bob! Your teachings live on in those you shared them with!
I would like to share my sincere condolences with all of Bob’s family. It saddens me, too, that such a wonderful man no longer walks this earth. I am sure he will be dearly missed by so many. I was one of his Biology students in 1963 at Greece Olympia High School. I smile when I remember how terrified I was of him for the first month of class, but by the end of the year I loved both him and Biology! By the time I graduated several years later, he was my favorite teacher!! I was also extremely well-prepared for my science classes in college because of him. When he unexpectedly saw me in the Human Resources Office of Greece Central School District eight years later applying for a job, to my surprise and delight, he immediately recognized me and told the person behind the desk, ‘Hire this girl!’ I couldn’t have gotten a better recommendation anywhere!
With fond memories of a great teacher,
Sandra Eldridge Dugan
I just found out today on Bob’s passing. My deepest sympathy and prayers are with the whole family. I been cutting his grass for the past 3 years. He was a super nice guy. He will be deeply missed.
Jimmy
It was shocking to read of Bob’s passing in a post on Facebook. Arnie and I have the deepest respect for Bob and fond memories of his humor and wit. Arnie loved working alongside Bob at District Office, and I learned to be a better more skillful teacher under his tutelage at Professional Development workshops. Bob was a dedicated educator who touched the lives of so many, and we all remember him with love and respect. Our condolences to Dianne and his family. I had the honor of teaching two of his children.
Who, other than Bob, could carry a Bible in one hand and a pail of Manhattans in the other…..and never miss a step as he would thread his way through our lives sharing his talents, skills, his compassion and his passion for life. We all grew in wonderful ways because of him. A magnificent character in every respect – enjoyed, respected, loved and admired…and now to be missed. God has blessed us with a flood of beautiful memories. Bless his family with understanding and peace knowing that he is finally home…..
Just heard of Bob’s passing. Our deepest sympathy and prayers for his family. Meg And I will never forget Bob’s kindness when we purchased the camp on the river. We will miss his visits every summer when he visited Alice.
Mark & Meg Demers
I am just now seeing this, very late — I hope the family logs into this site now and then to re-read the tributes, because they are wonderful. I just wanted to echo what Sandra Eldridge said below. Mr. Fitzgibbon was my Biology teacher at Greece Olympia in 1963-64, and he was the best teacher I ever had, both in high school and in college. I can still remember the first day of class, when all of us were talking away about our summers, and he walked in. His first words (spoken quite loudly) were: ‘Turn around and be quiet!’ Everyone immediately obeyed. We were a little bit afraid of him at first, but no teacher ever inspired me to learn as he did. He set high standards, and made me want to meet & exceed them. My only regret is that I never went back to thank him, and tell him what he meant to me — so hopefully I can thank his family instead. I have carried the lessons he taught with me through all these years — he was an inspiration. Thank you.
Bob was my 10th grade biology teacher. He was an excellent teacher, passionate, precise and highly motivational. He encouraged me with great enthusiasm to love learning. Dr. William P. Thorpe
Diane and Family,
I’m so sorry for your loss with Bobby’s passing. But we all know it is God’s gain. What a wonderful man and a beacon of love for all who knew him. I’m sure my dad is laughing and scratching with Bob telling St. Peter jokes at the Pearly White Gates of Heaven. Only this time they’re not on Green Street in Ogdensburg, but rather standing at the right hand of The Man. My father Tom is certainly in great company. Bobby was the true epitome of ‘pater familias’ exemplified by the love and admiration my dad and my Uncle Dick had for their older cousin. The leader of the family in kindness and spirit. Gold Bless You Bobby.
Love,
David, Kim, Maxine & Audrey
Diane& family Bob is going to greatly missed at total image. We enjoyed many great jokes and family stories with Bob. My heart goes out to all of his family. Bob’s jokes and kindness will never be forgotten. Connie
Diane, Mary and family, I’m saddened by your loss. I remember fondly Bob’s wonderful qualities in life. He was my favorite teacher at GOHS. He is the one that touched me more than anyone! God bless. In HIS peace and love we go on!!
Karen (Florack) Fritzinger
I am so sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. He was a wonderful mentor and friend for years at Greece Central. I have many great memories of us working and laughing together
I have only the best of memories of Bob, having the privilege of working with him in Greece and at Brockport College. He always struck me as somebody who loved life and, more, lived it to the fullest. I will miss him. So, to Dianne and her wonderful family, please accept our deepest sympathies.
I worked with Bob in Greece Central Schools for 12 years. He was one of my favorite colleagues as well as a dedicated educational professional. Bob’s values and work ethics were grounded in honesty as well as those deep Catholic principals he developed from his years at LeMoyne College. In short he was a good man who lived his life and practiced his faith with sincerity and love. The world is a better place because of Bob’s life. My thoughts and prayers are with Diane and the children.
Mike and Maggie,
I am so sorry for your loss. We are thinking of you at this time. You are in our prayers.
So sorry for your loss. Bob interviewed me for my teaching job in German at Arcadia HS and would pop into classes last period of the day with Don Ramsay. He would engage the students in conversation and bring positive energy with him – a true people lover with an amazing capacity to remember them and their names. He made each of us feel special. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Bob will continue to advocate for us in his new home.
We were saddened to hear of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family. Our Deepest Sympathy, The Brigandi’s