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
Mark Laalo and family
Glenn Calder
A respected, impactful colleague at SWL.
Rest in peace…Michael had a good life
Sabrina Fournier
My cohort at Canterbury didn’t get much time with Mr. Fitz as a teacher—just a couple months while our teacher was on parental leave—but I remember him as a kind and generous teacher. I’m sorry to hear of his loss, and my sincerest condolences go out to the family.
Frank Wiley
The world is a better place because of Michael’s kind and gentle spirit. The world is a better place because of Michael’s dedication, commitment, support and caring of countless young lives he influenced. To his family, thank you for sharing him with us who stand in awe of his contributions. Thoughts and sympathies to you all.
Johanna Jenkins
My deepest condolences to Michael’s whole family and his friends, which he clearly made easily and in quantity. ‘Mr. Fitz’ was my favorite teacher at Canterbury High School and did much, many decades ago, to inspire me to write, put together poetry, read books I would not normally have chosen and co-run Spotlight, the school newspaper. Michael built confidence and creativity in so many students, quietly, supportively but firmly - not a particularly easy set of skills to master. He had a way of making his students try new adventures and hone skills they were unlikely to have attempted otherwise, but we were all the better for his having convinced us to try things. I loved his debate club (a clever way to guide argumentative teenager energy), his push to embrace trying poetry (“everyone can write poetry!”) and his patience leading kids through putting together newspapers that embraced creativity. He was always kind and gentle but had a wit to be admired when challenged in trading jokes. A real teacher in pratice, a true leader in heart. I am eternally grateful for his family having shared him with us all. Many thanks for that.
Kathy (McEvoy) O’Neill
My deepest condolences to his family and friends. Mr Fitzpatrick was one of my favourite teachers and I have many fond memories of his classes. He was a kind caring man. He even drove me to my part time
Job downtown after school one day. Nothing untoward - just a thoughtful human saving me taking the bus. He will be missed!
Katherine Narraway
Very saddened by the loss of Mr. Fitzpatrick, my literary arts teacher at CHS (1995–2000). He was, and will always be, a gentle guiding light whenever I edit my own or anyone else’s work. Having at one time been a teacher myself, I’m in awe of how he managed to grade so much writing overnight—always returning it the next day with insightful, thoughtful comments. He was a generous listener, a careful reader, and he will continue to shine in my life. I’m deeply grateful. Sending love to his family and friends.
Trevor Allen
Mike had such a positive spirit in the school and was such a supportive colleague. As a young teacher in the profession, he demonstrated daily what it meant to be a teacher and how to treat everyone with compassion and respect. A role model for us all!
Jessica Howland
My deepest condolences to the entire Fitzpatrick family. Michael’s spirit and his legacy of love, generosity, wisdom, and kindness live on in each of you. May you find comfort in the memories you shared and in the knowledge that he is at peace, embraced by the love of God. Know that you are held gently in the hearts of the many who know and care deeply for you.
Maggi Spence
My condolences to the family. It was a privilege to know and work with Mike. I will always treasure our Lit/Visual trip to New New York over many years. A great companion and trusted colleague and a great friend who shared a thoughtful perspective in any chat or conversation.
I've had the privilege to be Mike's and Pauline's new neighbor for the last 4-years or so. He, always a soft spoken man with a tremendous level of patience with the delivery of his words. As though always adjusting the wording to be sure he was painting his words as best he could. I enjoyed talking with him as he always asked how I was doing and if my family was okay. I'll miss our conversations and his beautifully painted words. Family meant so much to him and he loved spending time with his grandchildren.