R.I.P. (teacher) Mike Fitzpatrick

Our former teacher, Mike Fitzpatrick, has passed away. He was my history teacher in freshman year, as well as my first debate coach. I'm not sure when he left BK, but I got to know him again after college, when he managed a bank across from Eastridge H.S. We became good friends for two years, 1970-72, during which time we occasionally hung out with our wives, so I guess he forgave or forgot all the pranks I played on him when he was our teacher.

I moved to Florida at the end of that period and lost track of him, but I remember above all that he was a good guy, fair and honest, with a good sense of humor.



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Because Roger Palma's comment is so informative, I am adding it below:

Thanks for the update, Greg. I also am sorry to learn of Mike’s passing. I was in that same Freshman history class with Mike Critelli and Greg, though unlike Mike, I was not an avid student, so it was one more missed opportunity for learning. But, it was clear that he was one of the good guys on the faculty.

On the subject of faculty, I thought I’d pass on a few brief updates. As a few of you know, after graduating from college, I returned to BK as a teacher for three years. I made many lasting friendships during that time, some of whom you will remember as teachers when we were there, and some who, sadly are no longer with us. Recently, I attended a small party of ex-teachers at Jean Sellitto Massare’s home. Jean had been a mentor for me in the Social Studies Department. Her husband, Ed, has been a close friend for many years, and also a mentor during the summers when I was in law school. Sadly, Ed now has Alzheimer’s. Jean, however, is doing very well, even amidst these challenges, and is as full of life as ever.

Also in attendance were Don Griffin and Frank Sementino. Both Don and Frank were in the front end of their teaching careers, and probably had minimal overlap with the class of ’66. They are both retired, and have remained in the area. Over the years, I've seen Marty LaFica frequently as we were both members of the Blue Heron Hills Golf Club. Marty has moved to Florida and then the Carolinas. I don’t know where he lives now, but I’ll probably see his son at the golf course this summer, and learn more. I never saw Marc Zicari after he left BK, but I recently met his cousin Craig, a retired lawyer who is a neighbor in our new residence and we shared some fond memories of Marc. I made friendships with quite a few of the brothers, but had no contact with them after I left Kearney. I had very little contact with the nuns while I was there, other than Sr. Judith (Weber, now Judy Shaw) whom I see occasionally as she is a cousin of a close friend.

On a very separate note, I recently had the pleasure of seeing classmate Phil Dollard perform at the Little Theater Cafe. Phil, who just returned to Rochester recently, is a very accomplished guitarist, and can sing some folksy blues. He has an interesting and eclectic repertoire. I hadn’t seen him since we graduated from college, and in fact, we had gone through sixteen years of school together. Phil will be back at the Little at the end of September, and I urge anyone living in the area to consider checking it out. He may also be performing elsewhere before that, so keep an eye on the local music calendars.

1 comment:

  1. RECEIVED FROM ROGER PALMA, '66


    Thanks for the update, Greg. I also am sorry to learn of Mike’s passing. I was in that same Freshman history class with Mike Critelli and Greg, though unlike Mike, I was not an avid student, so it was one more missed opportunity for learning. But, it was clear that he was one of the good guys on the faculty.

    On the subject of faculty, I thought I’d pass on a few brief updates. As a few of you know, after graduating from college, I returned to BK as a teacher for three years. I made many lasting friendships during that time, some of whom you will remember as teachers when we were there, and some who, sadly are no longer with us. Recently, I attended a small party of ex-teachers at Jean Sellitto Massare’s home. Jean had been a mentor for me in the Social Studies Department. Her husband, Ed, has been a close friend for many years, and also a mentor during the summers when I was in law school. Sadly, Ed now has Alzheimer’s. Jean, however, is doing very well, even amidst these challenges, and is as full of life as ever.

    Also in attendance were Don Griffin and Frank Sementino. Both Don and Frank were in the front end of their teaching careers, and probably had minimal overlap with the class of ’66. They are both retired, and have remained in the area. Over the years, I've seen Marty LaFica frequently as we were both members of the Blue Heron Hills Golf Club. Marty has moved to Florida and then the Carolinas. I don’t know where he lives now, but I’ll probably see his son at the golf course this summer, and learn more. I never saw Marc Zicari after he left BK, but I recently met his cousin Craig, a retired lawyer who is a neighbor in our new residence and we shared some fond memories of Marc. I made friendships with quite a few of the brothers, but had no contact with them after I left Kearney. I had very little contact with the nuns while I was there, other than Sr. Judith (Weber, now Judy Shaw) whom I see occasionally as she is a cousin of a close friend.

    On a very separate note, I recently had the pleasure of seeing classmate Phil Dollard perform at the Little Theater Cafe. Phil, who just returned to Rochester recently, is a very accomplished guitarist, and can sing some folksy blues. He has an interesting and eclectic repertoire. I hadn’t seen him since we graduated from college, and in fact, we had gone through sixteen years of school together. Phil will be back at the Little at the end of September, and I urge anyone living in the area to consider checking it out. He may also be performing elsewhere before that, so keep an eye on the local music calendars.

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