Bernard (Bernie) Maurice Fitzgerald, Jr.

Bernard Maurice Fitzgerald, Jr. (“Bernie”) passed away July 8, 2026 with his beloved wife of 65 years, Emily (née Mary Emily Buchanan) by his side. Our father was born June 10, 1935 in Chicago, Illinois to Bernard Maurice Fitzgerald and Clara Felten Fitzgerald. He was the eldest of seven children and grew up in Washington DC and Chevy Chase, MD.

He joined the Army as a teenager and served in Korea, interrogating North Korean prisoners. After his return he worked at the US State Department, starting in the mailroom and working his way up to becoming a political officer and working for the CIA. Dad loved his work because it challenged and interested him and because it allowed him to serve.

He met Emily in 1961 on a double date in Washington DC. Emily started out as the date of Bernie’s best friend Randy, but by the end of the evening the die was cast. Bernie and Emily dated and married in short order. Randy was the best man at the wedding. For 65 years Bernie referred to Emily as his bride.

Bernie and Emily raised four children Nicholas John, Bernard Maurice (Sam), Benjamin Buchanan and Clara Clayton. They lived in the Dominican Republic, Washington D.C., Panama, Guyana, Fairfax County, Pittsburgh, Tulsa, and finally Williamsburg where they made their home for 37 years before relocating to Ashburn to spend their final years closer to their children.

Bernie was known for his impressive intellect, his discipline and his iron will. Those characteristics served him well throughout his career. They failed him when it came to his dogs, whom he adored and spoiled. Great Danes, German Shepherds, Dachshunds, and a long and beloved line of black and yellow Labs - he loved them all. He often had two dogs at a time and from his forties into his seventies he would get up before 6 a.m. every morning and run at least 6 miles usually with a labrador by his side. They slept in his bed and enjoyed “happy hour” every evening. The humans would have a drink as the dogs waited patiently to receive Ritz crackers, dog treats and vanilla sandwich cookies at regular intervals until happy hour was over.

In retirement Bernie continued to find ways to stay active and to be of service. He volunteered as a driver for dialysis patients. He became active in the James City County Democratic party. He served his HOA, befriending many of his neighbors. These friends provided an indispensable connection, especially during the pandemic as they helped him and Emily manage the isolation. He ran and played tennis several times a week well into his 70s.

Most importantly, in retirement he taught at the Christopher Wren college at William & Mary and he loved it. It allowed him to concentrate on his true passion which was American History. Over 15 plus years, he created courses on subjects that he found fascinating - FDR, Wilson, and the political bosses of big cities to name a few. He spent many happy and productive hours researching and writing, incorporating primary sources, videos and audio recordings. He viewed these classes as a discussion and made class interaction a focal point. He developed a faithful following of students at Christoper Wren who signed up for pretty much whatever he wanted to teach.

Outside of the classroom, Bernie loved talking politics and history and was always interested in a good conversation. He was an iconoclast who would defend Herbert Hoover though FDR was his touchstone; he considered himself an Eisenhower Republican though he would extol the virtues of LBJ’s Great Society. He had an uncanny ability to speak with anyone, whether he agreed with them or not. His humor and intellect made it possible for him to have lively and passionate discussions without incivility or aggression.

Bernie seemed to relish being an old codger and adopted the persona long before he aged into it. He signed emails to the family as “Father Time”. He never suffered fools gladly and his definition of fools was broad. Dad was a forceful personality. He could be as difficult and stubborn as he was charming and funny. 

He loved Walt Whitman, Herman Melville, George Kennan, Charles Dickens, and Robert Penn Warren. He was an avid sports fan and indoctrinated his children in his love of his hometown teams. He rooted for the Washington Redskins/Football Team/Commanders his whole life. He loved the Washington Senators/Nationals, the University of Maryland and the Virginia Tech Hokies. If the news wasn’t playing on the TV the game always was, providing the soundtrack to the Fitzgerald house.

Bernie was predeceased by his brother Johnny and his sisters Mary Hughes and Patsy Fitzgerald. He is survived by his wife Emily, his children Nick (Suzie), Sam (Kristina), Ben (Shaya) and Clara (Rick) and by his grandchildren (Emily, Jack, Cayty, Mira, Ricky, Alyssa and Brian). He is survived also by his siblings Ann Gerard, Claire (Dede) Jentsch, and Kevin Fitzgerald and a host of nieces and nephews. 

Dad passed away peacefully at age 91, with his bride at his side. He had a steady stream of family visiting him in the days prior - looking at family photos and telling stories, reading his favorite books aloud and playing The Battle Hymn of the Republic for him. We picture him strolling into the afterlife, a pack of his beloved dogs running to him as he reaches into his pockets for the treats he always carried.

In lieu of flowers please make a contribution to the Osher Institute (formerly the Christopher Wren College) at William & Mary to support adult education.