Michael Joseph Fitzpatrick, a kind, gentle and humble man, passed away on Friday, April 25, 2025, at the age of 80.
Born in Omemee, Ontario on September 10, 1944, Michael grew up on a nearby working farm. He began his education, just up the road, at the little red schoolhouse and attended Lindsay Collegiate before completing an undergraduate and master’s degree in history from King’s College in London, Ontario.
Michael moved to Ottawa in 1967, Canada’s centennial year, to complete his thesis and he fell in love with this city. He began his teaching career at Sir Wilfred Laurier and, in 1984, he moved to Canterbury High School. It was there that he was the driving force behind the creation of the Literary Arts Program, which endeavored to develop each student's voice as a writer. A lifelong learner, he completed arborist courses at Algonquin College and earned a second MA in history at Carleton University post-retirement.
Michael - “Mr. Fitz” - was a soft-spoken, dedicated and creative teacher who loved learning about his students through their writing. He was a tenacious editor, scratching index notes in his beautifully illegible handwriting. There is no doubt that this tribute would be half the length with twice the clarity had it met his red pen.
His passion for teaching was outshone only by his love for his family. Pauline was the love of his life. They were married in 1978, and she was his best friend, partner, sounding board, co-chef and biggest fan.
As a father, Michael was always there; present for the big moments but also there to share, help, listen, discuss, and laugh about the day-to-day. Summer memories are filled with camping across Ontario and through the east coast. Michael would cook meals over open fire and decorate the campsite with colourful lanterns to make it feel like home.
As a grandpa, Michael played every board game, read every story, took every walk, attended every sporting event and listened to everything his grandkids had to say. Nothing brought him more joy than spending time with his grandchildren.
Michael understood trees and flowers. He brought the balloons to every party and sent a card for every anniversary. He read as many books as he could – even those he knew he would not like. He appreciated music of all kinds, spent as much time in nature as possible, and was a heck of a dancer. He could play the piano and reassemble a tractor engine. He loved his faithful dog Rascal. He was a proud Canadian.
The family farm, with its big red-doored barn, was a huge part of Michael’s life. He made it a warm welcoming place for family and friends.
Michael was a man of strong and quiet faith. He was devoted to his family and is predeceased by his mother and father, Mary Adrienne and Alphonse Fitzpatrick, and his older brother William. He will be dearly missed by his loving wife, partner and best friend of 47 years, Pauline Fitzpatrick (nee Walsh); his children Mark (Chelsey), Jeff (Heidi), Anne (Jordan) and Steve (Nicole); and his treasured grandchildren: Amy, Cara, Ruby, Ethan, Bruce, Ewan, Cooper and Malcolm. He is survived by his much loved siblings Gerard (Kathy) and Mary Adrienne and his in-laws Brendan Walsh and Rita Parker.
A funeral mass will be held at 11am on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at Annunciation of the Lord Parish, 2414 Ogilvie Rd, Ottawa, ON. There will be a reception following the mass. In lieu of flowers (even though Michael was a wonderful gardener), please consider donating to the Ottawa Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Above all else Michael valued time spent with the people he loved. We were so lucky to have him, and he will be missed immeasurably.
Digital Guestbook
Kathy Poulin
Wayne Nolan
My sincere condolences, Pauline, to you and your family. How honoured I feel to have know “Mr. Fitz” when he taught at SWL. May your many fond memories of your life with him help bring you some comfort at this difficult time.
Claire La France
Mike was my godfather and a dear friend and best man to my Dad. That my Dad chose such titles for him is a testament to the formidable esteem in which he held him. Housemates at King's College at the University of Western Ontario, my Dad took his advice and example and followed him into the noble teaching profession.
I remember him teaching the teenage GTA-born version of me, that you only good if you look warm in an Ottawa winter. I have special memories of many fun times spent with our families at the farm, gliding on the swing seat and running through the barn. My very biggest condolences to Pauline, Mark, Jeff, Anne and Stephen, whom I adored as children and always looked forward to seeing. Much love to you all at this time.
Kathy Shaw
Our deepest condolences to all the family. Knowing he is wrapped in the loving arms of God, he will shine on you all as your newest angel. Continue to share memories and pictures to keep his spirit alive.
Andrea Shaikin
Mr. Fitzpatrick will ever be the English Teacher (CHS 1984-1989) who changed my life. A brilliant and exceptional person. He once told me I had a gift for "...the deadly beautiful turn of phrase".
Clearly he was the gifted one.
So many of us are blessed by having known him and learned from him.
Thank you, Sir.
Marian Meade
My condolences to all of the family. I’m so sorry. What a beautiful tribute. Thank you for sharing it. I’m confident that Fitz would approve. Mr. Fitzpatrick was my favourite teacher in high school and I’m glad to know that he lived such a rich and meaningful life with the people he loved. 💝
James Conway
My Condolences
Jeremy Roberts
Very sad to hear of the passing of my Grade 11 Literary Arts teacher, Mr. Fitz. Mr. Fitz was the driving force behind the creation of the Lit program at Canterbury. He was the one who interviewed me for the program. Even though I was nervous, he put me at ease. In Grade 11, as my teacher, he pushed me to become a better writer. He was remarkably dedicated to his students’ success. He gave us a writing prompt every day at the start of class. Then the next day, without fail, he would return whatever we wrote with comments and suggestions on how to improve. I have no idea how he found the time to read 25 pieces every day, but he did it with the same patience and encouragement each timeme. I am a better writer today because of his teaching and I will remember fondly sitting with him at the front of the class or in the back office seeking advice. Thank you for all of the lives your changed, Mr. Fitz. RIP.
Stephen Willcock
An invisible little Michael will always sit on my right shoulder and whisper the proper answer directly into my ear. I offer my sympathy to anyone who is suffering the grief of losing his kindness, wisdom, patience and love.
John Corrente
As a colleague of Mike at Canterbury, I appreciated his warm, thoughtful, and generous spirit. A dedicated teacher whose quiet faith still spoke. Praying for you through this time.
As a neighbour of 45 years I have been able to watch the Fitzpatrick family grow. Mike brought my mom hand picked strawberries every season and they would visit and share stories. One day I asked him how he was enjoying retirement, and he responded with 'there's nothing better, I am home, enjoying the grandkids, there's just nothing better'. Will shall miss him greatly. Our condolences to all the family.