Dr. Robert P. Fitzgerald, Jr.

Dr. Robert Patrick Fitzgerald Jr.,61, of Methuen, Massachusetts passed away on November 12th, 2023. He was the son of the late Robert Fitzgerald Sr. and Barbara Fitzgerald.

Robert, fondly known as Fitzy, was born on August 22nd, 1962, in Lawrence, Massachusetts. To say that Fitzy was accomplished was an understatement. He devoted his life to teaching, mentoring and coaching the youth of the Merrimack Valley. Bobby’s biggest accomplishment was being a devoted father and grandfather to Robert, Scarlett, Leah, and Sebastian as well as his longtime partner Julia Aguasvivas. He was by far Robert’s biggest fan at Central Catholic and Stonehill College football games.

Dr. Fitz was educated at Central Catholic High School. He was a Double Eagle achieving both an undergrad and doctoral degree from Boston College. Dr. Fitz was a Rhodes Scholar at Boston College and played alongside Doug Flutie in the famous 1984 “Miracle in Miami” game where they defeated Miami with a Hail Mary pass.

His athletic pursuits at BC did not stop at football. Robert Jr. was also the captain of the Boston College wrestling team. Most recently, Dr. Fitz was inducted into the Massachusetts Wrestling Hall of Fame at Gillette Stadium with his friends, family, and wrestlers by his side. Dr. Fitz is also in the New England Wrestling Hall of Fame. He received countless awards academically and in athletics.

He was an avid reader and a fitness fanatic. Fitz was an award-winning weightlifter and everyone who knew him would either find him at his home reading in the sun or lifting shirtless with little Fitz in his “Old School” style garage gym. Fitzy loved New England Summers and he loved when people came over to use the pool. Lake Winnipesaukee trips were always a highlight of his summer as well as the countless trips to the beach. Fitz loved vacationing to Miami throughout the year to visit his daughter and grandchildren. Muscle Beach on South Beach was his favorite. He often thought he was a mobster and would often watch gritty crime movies or TV shows. He loved Led Zeppelin and Johnny Cash and would often listen to this when working out.

Dr. Fitz was known for taking kids off the streets and making them shine on the wrestling mat or football field. Dr. Fitz was a key part of the Lawrence Housing Authority’s Recreation Department youth wrestling program, as well as a coach for several local teams throughout the Merrimack Valley. He would take kids all around New England to give them a chance to shine. They looked at Coach Fitz as a second father. Many can attest that Coach Fitz would do just about anything to give a kid a chance, even if it meant the shirt off his back.

He was a magnetic force and people gravitated towards Fitz. He was the type of person to light up a dark room with his smile and beautiful blue eyes. Dr. Fitz accepted everyone for who they were no matter their race or background. He was caring, loving, compassionate, attentive, and most importantly hilarious and the life of the party. Fitz was always due for a funny story every time you ran into him. If you ever had the pleasure of being around Fitz it was inevitable for you not to be captivated by his amazing energy and infectious laugh. His one-of-a-kind smile will live on forever.

Dr. Fitz is survived by his partner Julia Aguasvivas, his beloved son Robert and daughter Scarlett as well as his grandchildren Leah and Sebastian, his sister Maura, his niece Abigail, his nephew Collin, and best friend Dib Sarkis. Finally, he will be survived by the thousands of people that he touched during his tenure as a coach and educator for the variety of school systems within the Commonwealth. Rest easy Dr. Fitz. We will all miss you immensely.    

Family and friends are invited to calling hours on Saturday November 25, 2023 from 10 am to Noon at the Dewhirst Boles Funeral Home 80 Broadway, Methuen. Funeral services will follow the calling hours at Noon on Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Elmwood Cemetery, Methuen. To leave an online condolence, please visit Fitz’s tribute page at www.dewhirstbolesfuneral.com.

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