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
Miranda Jarvis
Christopher, Jodi, Gabriella, Harriette
Steve, Nikki, Bruce and Malcolm. We know how much it means to have had such a wonderful dad, father-in-law and grandpa in your lives, and are so sorry for your loss. We were so happy to get to know Mike around the time of your wedding—he was clearly a remarkable person who had a meaningful impact of many people’s lives.
Laura Farina
Mr. Fitzpatrick was my literary arts teacher at Canterbury and is a huge part of the reason I'm a writer. His steadfast belief that the stuff of our teenaged lives was worthy of consideration, his conviction that the only way to get better at writing is by writing, and his insistence that we hold ourselves accountable to the work we set out to do continue to inspire me . I remember one day, he handed an assignment back to me with a very low mark on it. "Sir!" I protested. "This wasn't that bad." "It wasn't," he agreed. "But you can write better than that." It's still his gentle, steadfast voice I hear when I sit down to edit. I'm forever grateful. My condolences to his friends and family.
Mark and Margaret Kennedy
We were very sorry to learn of Mike’s passing from our son Sean who remembers ‘Mr Fitz’ as a most caring father. Sending our sincere condolences to all your family.
Cory Burnett and Laura Frank
Incredible person. There are no words that can truly describe the incredible person he was and how much he will be missed. Many years ago he opened his home to us as friends, however, we left feeling like family. We consider ourselves privileged to have met Michael and even more lucky to have shared some amazing times with him and the entire family. We find comfort reminiscing about the many farm visits and tractor rides, as well as all the thoughtful conversations - we only wish we could have more. Much love to the entire family
Thu Phan
Mr. Fitzpatrick, as I knew him, was one of the kindest souls to walk this earth. He gave my 18-year-old self my very first letter of recommendation—one I continued to use well into my thirties. He understood that with the right words, an immigrant girl living with her sibling in a single-parent low-income home could be given a real chance to grow. And grow, I did.
Thank you, my dearest teacher. You will live in my heart forever.
Natasha Oickle
Mr. Fitz always made even his most quiet students feel seen and like they have a voice. I will never forget the encouraging words he shared with me on my writing nor the time he told me I looked 'very thoughtful' on a day when I needed to hear something positive. His words have stuck with me ever since. Thinking of you, Mr. Fitz, and thanking you so much.
Colleen (Kipp) Porcina
Pauline, my most sincere condolences on your loss. I remember our days at Assumption and SWL with fondness. God bless.
Would love to hear from you. Will be in Ottawa in early September.
Joanne Larose
Although English wasn’t my most favourite subject, I appreciated Mike Fitzpatrick’s excellent teaching skills and passed the course. He had a lot of patience with his students and really cared.
Amina Adams
My deepest condolences to the Fitzpatrick family.
For many years after his official retirement, Mike continued to generously and carefully read and evaluate hundreds and hundreds of applications for the LIterary Arts' Programme. We were always so grateful and in awe of the thoughtful and detailed feedback that he left on these applications. He also interviewed hundreds of potential candidates and in his gentle and probing way, helped every candidate - especially the shy and reticent ones - to shine through.
Thank you for sharing Mike with us and our students - every one of us is a better person for having known him - either as a teacher or as an inspiring, creative and wise colleague.
Mr. Fitz was one of my favourite teachers, and we felt so honoured to have him as it was about the time he was retiring. His wisdom, kindness and sense of humour really stuck with me through all the years since.