Stephen Eugene Fitzgerald, D'55, passed away on July 29, 2021 in Grand Island, Nebraska. Stephen Eugene Fitzgerald, 81, of Grand Island died Thursday, July 29, 2021, at home, surrounded by his family.
Steve's wish was to be cremated. Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Mary's Cathedral. The Rev. Jorge Canela will be the celebrant. Inurnment will be in the Grand Island City Cemetery. Military honors will be rendered by the United Veterans Honor Guard and the U.S. Navy Honor Team.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at Curran Funeral Chapel, with a vigil service at 7. Memorials are suggested to the family with designation at a later date. Your thoughts and prayers may be given at www.curranfuneralchapel.com under Steve's obituary.
Steve was born Dec. 23, 1939, in Bridgewater, S.D., the son of Lloyd Francis and Gladys (Lawver) Fitzgerald. Steve grew up in Sioux Falls, S.D., and in Omaha, graduating from Boys Town in 1956. He entered the U.S. Navy in 1957, serving until his honorable discharge in 1960. He returned to Mitchell, S.D., where he worked selling appliances.
He married Colleen G. Morgan on July 21, 1962, in Mitchell, S.D. The couple lived in California, where Steve worked as a swimming pool service and repair man. Steve moved his family to Grand Island in 1976. He and Colleen owned and operated B & M Tavern and Fitzgerald's 4th Street Tavern, retiring in 2004.
Steve was a true family man. He was most happy about his marriage to the love of his life, Colleen, and the relationship he had with his children and grandchildren. He never passed up an opportunity to tell his friends stories of time spent with family. He had developed many friendships, whether it be from the businesses that he owned and operated with his wife, Colleen, and son, Scott, the days spent on the golf courses throughout central Nebraska, or just having coffee with his coffee buddies.
He was always sharing jokes and had a quick-witted personality. He was a man of God and spent many days involved in church activities. Whether you called him Steve, dad, or papa, you more than likely have a memory of him that would put a smile on your face. Steve was an avid golfer and enjoyed fishing in his younger years.
He was a member of St. Mary's Cathedral.
Steve is survived by his wife of 59 years, Colleen Fitzgerald of Grand Island; son, Scott Fitzgerald of Grand Island; grandchildren, Stephen (Liz) Fitzgerald and Natalie (Logan) Schroeder; daughter, Lynn Skorniak of Aurora, and grandchildren, Brooke (Paul) Johnson, Danielle Skorniak, Jenna (Justin) Griepenstroh, and Kaden Skorniak; daughter, Kathy (Kirk) Schmidt of Grand Island, and grandchildren, Taran Schmidt and Amber Reiman; daughter, Kim (Rick) Skorniak of Gibbon; and brother, Patrick Fitzgerald of Grand Island. Others left to cherish his memory include his eight great-grandchildren and one on the way.
He is welcomed into heaven by his parents; an infant son, Gary Fitzgerald; and four sisters, Beverly, Barbara, Burdine and Patricia.
Steve's wish was to be cremated. Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Mary's Cathedral. The Rev. Jorge Canela will be the celebrant. Inurnment will be in the Grand Island City Cemetery. Military honors will be rendered by the United Veterans Honor Guard and the U.S. Navy Honor Team.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at Curran Funeral Chapel, with a vigil service at 7. Memorials are suggested to the family with designation at a later date. Your thoughts and prayers may be given at www.curranfuneralchapel.com under Steve's obituary.
Steve was born Dec. 23, 1939, in Bridgewater, S.D., the son of Lloyd Francis and Gladys (Lawver) Fitzgerald. Steve grew up in Sioux Falls, S.D., and in Omaha, graduating from Boys Town in 1956. He entered the U.S. Navy in 1957, serving until his honorable discharge in 1960. He returned to Mitchell, S.D., where he worked selling appliances.
He married Colleen G. Morgan on July 21, 1962, in Mitchell, S.D. The couple lived in California, where Steve worked as a swimming pool service and repair man. Steve moved his family to Grand Island in 1976. He and Colleen owned and operated B & M Tavern and Fitzgerald's 4th Street Tavern, retiring in 2004.
Steve was a true family man. He was most happy about his marriage to the love of his life, Colleen, and the relationship he had with his children and grandchildren. He never passed up an opportunity to tell his friends stories of time spent with family. He had developed many friendships, whether it be from the businesses that he owned and operated with his wife, Colleen, and son, Scott, the days spent on the golf courses throughout central Nebraska, or just having coffee with his coffee buddies.
He was always sharing jokes and had a quick-witted personality. He was a man of God and spent many days involved in church activities. Whether you called him Steve, dad, or papa, you more than likely have a memory of him that would put a smile on your face. Steve was an avid golfer and enjoyed fishing in his younger years.
He was a member of St. Mary's Cathedral.
Steve is survived by his wife of 59 years, Colleen Fitzgerald of Grand Island; son, Scott Fitzgerald of Grand Island; grandchildren, Stephen (Liz) Fitzgerald and Natalie (Logan) Schroeder; daughter, Lynn Skorniak of Aurora, and grandchildren, Brooke (Paul) Johnson, Danielle Skorniak, Jenna (Justin) Griepenstroh, and Kaden Skorniak; daughter, Kathy (Kirk) Schmidt of Grand Island, and grandchildren, Taran Schmidt and Amber Reiman; daughter, Kim (Rick) Skorniak of Gibbon; and brother, Patrick Fitzgerald of Grand Island. Others left to cherish his memory include his eight great-grandchildren and one on the way.
He is welcomed into heaven by his parents; an infant son, Gary Fitzgerald; and four sisters, Beverly, Barbara, Burdine and Patricia.