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John Fitzgerald

April 16, 1948-April 14, 2026

John Fitzgerald passed away surrounded by family on April 14, 2026, two days shy of his 78^th birthday.  John was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and brother who will be dearly missed by his family and friends.

During the last 21 years, John beat lung cancer twice and fought multiple ailments. John was born on April 16, 1948, to Donald and Muriel Fitzgerald in Southbridge, Massachusetts.   John played football at Southbridge High School where he met the love of his life – Sue Bachand - in Geometry class.   John received a scholarship to play football at Boston College.  Sue and John were married on May 30, 1970.  John is a member of the Southbridge High School Hall of Fame and The Boston College Hall of Fame.  

The Dallas Cowboys drafted John in the fourth round of the 1970 NFL Draft.  He was fortunate to be with the team during 12 winning seasons.   John was on the taxi squad his first year during Super Bowl V and a backup for Super Bowl VI.  He was the starting center for Super Bowls X, XII and XIII.  He recovered a fumble in Super Bowl XII when Dallas defeated the Broncos.  John was most known for mastering the Shotgun when Coach Landry decided to reinvent that formation.  John played in 137 games and started in 109. He was honored to be named to the Dallas Cowboys Silver Anniversary Team.

After retiring from the Cowboys, John began a career in Insurance with Corrigan-Jordan and Dexter & Company.   John adored his grandchildren.  His favorite times were going to their games, dance recitals, plays, and swim meets.  John loved to play golf and was always ready to play in charity golf tournaments benefiting The Muscular Dystrophy Association, The Boys and Girls Clubs, and more.   

John was preceded in death by his parents and his two brothers, Donald and Roderick Fitzgerald.   He is survived by his loving wife, Suzanne Bachand Fitzgerald; three sons, Brendon Fitzgerald (Leslie) of Dallas, TX, Patrick Fitzgerald (Regan) of Plano, TX, and Timothy of Richardson, TX; six grandchildren, Benjamin, Walker, Holt, Blythe, Sandler and Taryn Fitzgerald; sister-in-law, Beverly Fitzgerald, and Cousin Martena Shea of Southbridge, MA., many cousins, nieces and nephews.