Maurice E. Fitzgerald

Maurice E Fitzgerald passed away at Jefferson county hospice on Monday November 17,2025.

Maurice was the oldest son of Ola (Payne) and Lewis Fitzgerald. He has a sister Marg (Sister Mary Bethany) and a brother John Fitzgerald. He was predeceased by his wife of 65 years Sheila(Sullivan). They had 5 children Donna(Douglas), James, Katrina(Carl), Patricia and Michael (Arrin). He had 11 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

He was born at the Watertown hospital on 9/12/35 and grew up in Cape Vincent. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the US Navy in 1954. He was enlisted for 20 years and retired as a Senior Chief Petite Officer.

In 1961 the USS Essex was deployed to do routine anti-submarine warfare training off the east coast. Once underway they received secret orders to the Gulf of Mexico. There they provided support for the Bay of Pig mission. At the completion of their support role, the whole crew was sworn to secrecy by the CIA. Again in October 1962 the Essex was sent, by order of president Kennedy, to assist in a naval quarantine (to call it a blockade would have been deemed an act of war), to prevent Russia from bringing more nuclear missile to Cuba, just 90 miles from the United States. During their time on this mission, the Essex's anti-submarine Sonar dept. run by Senior Chief Fitzgerald's division, detected a Russia sub trying to elude the quarantine to deliver more nuclear missiles. That incident almost brought the world to a nuclear holocaust. What history didn't report was just how close that submarine came to launching a missile. Shortly after this close call the Russians removed the existing missile from Cuba. On 22 October 1968, the Essex was the recovery ship for the returning Apollo 7 capsule. Maurice was also on the air craft carriers the USS WASP, the USS LITTLE ROCK and the USS COONTZ.

After retiring they moved back to Cape Vincent and took over The Fitzgerald Family Farm on County Route 6. Everyone knew Maurice as either "Morrie" or"Fitz". He worked at the local post office and was seen mowing lawns or working hay in the field. In the past few years you would see Morrie walking down CT RT 6 or waving at passerbys from his chair at his garage, he ALWAYS had a smile for everyone. 

A mass will be at St Vincent de Paul in Cape Vincent Monday November 24, 2025 @ 11am with a celebration of life following immediately after the services in the church hall. The funeral will be held in June 2026.

Donations can be made to Hospice of Jefferson County, 1398 Gotham St, Watertown, NY 13601.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Cleveland Funeral Home, Cape Vincent. Online condolences may be shared at www.clevelandfhinc.com. 

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.