Thomas Fitzgibbon

Thomas Fitzgibbon, passed away on January 1, 2015.He was born in Greenwich Village, NY in 1936.He grew up in Manhattan, graduating from LaSalle Academy and Christian Brothers in NY. He attended Arizona State University with ROTC and played football there for 2 years. He moved to New York, Washington, DC and then to Chicago in 1976. His life was characterized by great integrity, personal courage and business success. Mr. Fitzgibbon was the President of Twentieth Century Services. He served on the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau. He received two governor’s appointments to serve on the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority and the Illinois Toll Highway Authority. He also received an appointment by President Richard M. Nixon to serve on a labor relations board for HEW in New York. He held numerous positions in four unions, culminating in the International Vice-Presidency of the Brotherhood of Railway and Airline Clerks (BRAC). He traveled the globe representing the International Transport Federation headquartered in London. He is past president of Chicago Special Olympics and served as trustee of Mercy Hospital and Director of the Irish Fellowship Club. Tom was an avid boater and deep sea fisherman, winning gold and bronze medals in the 20th International Blue Marlin Fishing Tournament and the Hemingway Fishing Tournament in 2001 in Havana, Cuba aboard the boat, “J. Hook”. A prize catch and display now hangs in Hugo’s Frog Bar & Fish House in downtown Chicago. He had a wonderful sense of humor and a zest for life! His world travels for business and pleasure made him a masterful storyteller. He had a deep abiding love for God, family, politics and country. And, he was most proud of his 100% Irish heritage. Mr. Fitzgibbon lived by the meaning of a handshake and a look in the eye. His word was a good as gold. He never met a stranger or forgot a face. And, he never refused a personal request by a friend or charity in need. He was a friend to the common man throughout his union career to make sure every worker was able to earn a decent living wage to support his family. And he called many strikes across the nation in various industries to ensure it. He always said, “in order to have a friend, you have to be a friend.” And, his life deeds proved him out as hundreds of friends have remained at his side through the decades from across the nation. He knew that the greatest gift in life was love and true riches in life were treasured friends and family. He is survived by his wife, Yvonne; his children – Robert, Beth(Howard)Levitt, and Tim(Lisa)Fitzgibbon; his grandchildren-Carolyn and John Fitzgibbon; his mother-in- law – Elizabeth(Jerry)Callis; his sister-in-law - Lorraine(Mark) Rudolph; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Elizabeth Fitzgibbon; his siblings-Joan (George) Sheehan, Eugene (Irene)Fitzgibbon, and Robert Fitzgibbon; and his sons Tommy and Johnny Fitzgibbon. Visitation is Thursday from 3:00 until 9:00 p.m. at Cumberland Chapels, 8300 W. Lawrence Ave., Norridge. Visitation on Friday 8:30 a.m. until time of funeral mass at 10:00 a.m. at Old Saint Patrick’s Church, 700 West Adams St., Chicago, IL. Interment private All Saints Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are requested to: Misericordia, c/o Father Jack Clair, 6300 N. Ridge Ave., Chicago, IL 60660 and Standing Tall Foundation c/o Father John Smyth, 1100 N. River Road, Des Plaines, IL 60016. Info 708-456-8300 or www.cumberlandchapels.com