LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Francis J. Fitzsimmons,
distinguished citizen and devoted member of his community

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Francis J. "Frank" Fitzsimmons of Vestal, New York, died on
Wednesday, April 29, 2009; and
WHEREAS, Born in New York City on March 2, 1926, Francis J. Fitzsim-
mons married his wife, the late Kathleen, and together they moved to the
Triple Cities in 1950, where he became the Manager of the Red Robin
Diner and, later, co-owner of Frankie & Johnnie's on the Vestal Parkway;
and
WHEREAS, In 1968, Francis J. Fitzsimmons embarked on his career in the
insurance industry and successfully ran Brown & Fitzsimmons Insurance
for over 20 years; and
WHEREAS, He was active in the Professional Insurance Agents Associ-
ation and served as State President from 1988-1989; Francis gave of his
time and talent generously and enthusiastically to many projects and
organizations throughout Broome County and beyond; and
WHEREAS, A longtime member of Rotary International, Francis J. Fitz-
simmons took the organization's motto of "service above self' to heart;
he served as President of the Vestal chapter as well as District Gover-
nor and was a Paul Harris Fellow; and
WHEREAS, He distinguished himself in his profession and by his sincere
dedication and substantial contribution to the welfare of his community;
and
WHEREAS, Francis J. Fitzsimmons' commitment to excellence, and his
spirit of humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, includ-
ing charitable and civic endeavors; and
WHEREAS, An active and devoted member of Blessed Sacrament Church, he
was also a volunteer fireman for the Vestal Fire Department for over 15
years and served as President of the Endicott Boys Club; he also served
as Chairman of the Board for several organizations, including the Broome
County Veterans Memorial Arena, the Endicott Community Center, UHS Foun-
dation and SEPP; and
WHEREAS, An avid golfer who claimed that it never rained on the golf
course, Francis J. Fitzsimmons was a familiar face and tireless volun-
teer for many, many years at the annual B.C. Open Golf Tournament, where
he was chairman of concessions; he was active on the board of Meals on
Wheels and was a hospice volunteer for 15 years; in 2005, he was named
Sertoma Club's Man Of the Year; and
WHEREAS, Predeceased by his parents, Eunice (Terry) Warren and Francis
J. Fitzsimmons, his sister, Margaret Watkins, and his loving wife of 50
years, Kathleen (Lyons) Fitzsimmons, Francis J. Fitzsimmons is survived
by his five children and their spouses, Margaret (Fitzsimmons) and Eric
Robinson; Thomas and Teresa Fitzsimmons; John and Colleen Fitzsimmons;
James Fitzsimmons; and Mary (Fitzsimmons) and James Edwards; 15 grand-
children and eight great-grandchildren, Kathryn Schwartz and her
husband, Erick, and their children, Megan, Molly, Emma and Jake; Joseph
Hendery and his wife, Michelle, and their daughter, Anna; Michael
Hendery and his wife, Holly; Greg Fitzsimmons; Annie Fitzsimmons; Timo-
thy Fitzsimmons; Michael Fitzsimmons; and Maggie Fitzsimmons; Erin Buck-
ley and her husband, Peter, and their children, Jack, Molly and Finn;
John Fitzsimmons; Brian Fitzsimmons and his wife, Katherine, who are

expecting great-grandchild number nine; Daniel Edwards; Matthew Edwards;
Molly Edwards; and Colleen Edwards; and
WHEREAS, Francis J. Fitzsimmons' legacy of love, overwhelming generos-
ity and friendship will also be remembered and missed by several nieces
and nephews and their families; his sister-in-law, Rita Lyons; and the
many, many friends he held so dear; and
WHEREAS, He enjoyed time spent with his special companion, Eleanor
Gasper; he considered himself blessed and was ever grateful for the
treasured friendships of Ann and Frank Nicosia and John Andrews; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit, imbued with a sense of
compassion, and comforted by a loving family, Francis J. Fitzsimmons
leaves behind a legacy which will long endure the passage of time and
will remain as a comforting memory to all he served and befriended; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Francis J. Fitzsimmons, distinguished citizen and
devoted member of his community; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Francis J. Fitzsimmons.