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.
Mike and I were classmates and roommates at King’s College at UWO in the far off Sixties.we went our separate ways, but his influence on me has remained. He worked and worked and worked. The comments here mention his faith, his humility ,his devotion to his craft, and his concern for others. All these qualities were apparent as a student. He was the model to which we aspired. He was indeed one of a kind.