THOMAS R. FITZPATRICK

Thomas R. Fitzpatrick, 82, of Two Harbors, died Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2009 at home.

He was born Dec. 19, 1926, to William and Bessie (Heintz) Fitzpatrick in Duluth. He grew up on a farm in Wrenshall, and graduated from Wrenshall High School, where he played basketball for the Wrens' basketball team. He enlisted in the Navy in 1944, and served on the USS Riley in the Pacific Theater near the Philippines.

After World War II, Tom married Marion Cox in 1948. Tom enrolled at UMD where he earned his teaching degree, majoring in English and History. His first teaching job was in Isle, Minnesota, where he taught with his good friend Soup Stromme. Tom moved to Two Harbors in 1954, where he taught at

Two Harbors High School and the Minnehaha until retiring in 1985. Tom taught English and History and coached and refereed basketball and worked the sidelines for many Agate football games.

Tom enjoyed fishing, hunting, traveling, cooking and history. He loved fishing for big brookies at Lake Nipigon in Canada, and hunting with his friend, Ray Rask and the guys at the Pentagon Shack in Silver Creek. Tom enjoyed his winters in Mexico Beach, Fla. and spending time with his friends at the VFW.

He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Marion in 2005; and granddaughter Christine Keller.

Tom is survived by his son, Mike of Two Harbors; daughters, Sue (Terry) Tollers of Eau Claire, Wis., Kathy (Dave) Keller of Hastings, Minn., Peggy (Curt) LaBounty of Vadnais Heights, Minn. and Colleen (Mike) Urben of Madison, Wisc.; 8 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren; and his special friend, Mary Dell Lawry of Port St. Joe, Fla.

VISITATION: Held Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009, at Cavallin Funeral Home in Two Harbors.

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