Edward T. Fitzpatrick - “Eddie”, “Fitzy” - died on July 5, 2021 in North Attleboro, MA, surrounded by his loving family after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease.  He was the husband of Joanne (Bennett) Fitzpatrick for 51 years.  

Born on September 20, 1942 in Dorchester, MA and raised in Mattapan, MA, he was the son of the late Joseph and Ann Fitzpatrick. 

Eddie was a Vietnam War Veteran. 

Three things defined Eddie’s life: his Catholic faith; his sobriety; and the labor union he fearlessly led for decades. He was a longtime, devoted member of Alcoholics Anonymous and his 48 years of sobriety was incredibly important to him.  

Eddie was a champion for the labor union movement and was especially proud of the “We’re proven, We’re union, Hang Tough” slogan he coined in the 1989 NYNEX strike, one of the few large scale strike victories in recent history.

Eddie retired from New England Telephone/Verizon in 2015 after 55 years of service. He was the Business Agent and President of IBEW Local 2222 in Quincy (Dorchester) for over 30 years. His devotion to union members and his famous speeches rallying workers were a source of inspiration for decades. His work in the employee assistance program for those suffering from addiction was instrumental in saving the lives, marriages, and jobs of many.  

He would take a call from a sick and suffering individual at any time of the day or night and was intensely focused on helping others.  He opened his home to those who were lost and taught his children that a “life of service to God and others” was important.  Eddie lived passionately as a man of faith and was certain we are on a spiritual journey from God and back to God.  He was a longtime supporter of the Brockton VA Hospital, the Gavin House Foundation, The Edwina Martin House, Father Bill’s in Quincy, North Cottage in Norton, MCI Cedar Junction, the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette in Attleboro, and St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Norton. 

He will be dearly missed by his wife, children, and his ten grandchildren. His family promises their Papa that they will never cross a picket line.  

In addition to his wife, Joanne, he leaves behind his daughter, Kathleen Murphy and her husband, John, of North Attleboro, and their children: Jack, Maura, Aidan and Abigail; his son, Joseph Fitzpatrick and his wife, Alexandra, of Seekonk, MA, and their children: Keegan, Brady and Cooper; and his daughter, Kelly Cinelli and her husband, Matthew, of North Attleboro, MA, and their children: Eddie, Anna and Rocco.  He was the brother of Regina Fitzpatrick of North Smithfield, RI, and William Fitzpatrick of Needham, MA.  He was the brother of the late Joseph Fitzpatrick.

Family and friends are cordially invited to honor Eddie by attending Visitation with Veteran’s Honors in the “Memorial Chapel” of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro, MA, on Sunday, July 11, 2021, from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial with Bagpiper Honors on Monday, July 12, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. at the Transfiguration of the Lord Parish – St. Mark, Stanley Street, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro, MA. 

There will be no funeral cortege from the funeral home prior to the commencement of the Funeral Mass.

A Graveside Service with Bagpiper and Military Honors will immediately follow in North Purchase Cemetery, North Main Street, Attleboro, MA.

Following graveside services an invitation will be extended to join the family for a time of continued fellowship and refreshments. 

As an expression of sympathy and in lieu of flowers, please send donations to a sober house or homeless shelter of one’s choosing.

For additional information or to send the family a written expression of sympathy, please visit an online guest book at www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleborough. (508) 695-0200

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https://www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com/obituary/edward-fitzpatrick