Obituary of William T. Fitzgibbons

William T. Fitzgibbons Sr. passed away on September 19, 2023 at Heritage Park in Jamestown, N.Y. William was 90 years old.

William was born on January 7, 1933, in Buffalo, N.Y. He was the son of the late William T. Fitzgibbons and the late Virginia (Terhaar) Fitzgibbons. William graduated from Canisius High School in 1950 after which he attended Canisius College. On December 30, 1955, he married Barbara A. Newton in Buffalo. They were married for 58 years before her death in 2013.

William was a long-time resident of Silver Creek, N.Y after moving there from Buffalo in 1960. He started his career at the Buffalo Evening news as a salesman followed by a long career in the transportation industry where he worked until his retirement at the age of 84. William also worked as a part-time policeman for the Town of Hanover and Silver Creek police forces. Additionally, he and his late wife Barbara became grape growers later in life and were members of the Welch’s National Grape Cooperative Association.

William was a water enthusiast an enjoyed spending his time boating with his family on Lake Erie. Along with Sheriff John Bentley, Mr. Fitzgibbons was also a co-founder of the first Chautauqua County search and rescue diving team. William was honorably discharged from the Army as a Sergeant on November 30, 1961.

In addition to his parents and his wife Barbara, William is predeceased by his sister Patricia Fitzgibbons and his brother Mark Fitzgibbons. William is also predeceased by Alice Paulus who was a very special friend he met while residing at Brookdale in Lakewood, N.Y.

William is survived by three daughters, Paula J. (the late James) Snyder of Olean, Barbara S. “Susan” (John) Saulitis of Mineral Ridge, Ohio, Kathryn M. (Thomas) Welch of Hinsdale and one son, William T. (Kathleen) Fitzgibbons Jr. of Alpharetta, Ga. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Timothy Perrigo, Emily Collins, Margaret Kasperski, Colleen Medley, Anna Saulitis, Bonnie Welch Badman, Natalie Fitzgibbons, Peter Fitzgibbons; 7 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

A private Memorial Service will be held at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Silver Creek, N.Y., at the convenience of the family. Internment will be with his late wife Barbara in Evergreen Lawn Cemetery, Hanover Center, N.Y.

Flowers are gratefully declined. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the Chautauqua County SPCA in William’s memory. Arrangements have been entrusted to Hole-Parker Funeral Chapel, 160 Central Ave., Silver Creek, NY.  Please share online condolences at www.holeparkerfc.com.

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