Deacon John J. Fitzsimmons, ordained in Diocese's first class of deacons
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Feb. 17 in St. Rose of Lima Church, Freehold for Deacon John J. Fitzsimmons, who died Feb. 12 in Jersey Shore Medical Center, Neptune. He was 85.
Born in New York City, he attended Ascension School, New York, and St. Joseph High School, Barrytown. He received the Holy Habit of the Christian Brothers in September, 1949, taking the religious name of Brother Columban of Jesus. He attended The Catholic University of America, Washington, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry.
Following college he taught mathematics and science in De La Salle Institute, New York, and St. Joseph High School, West New York. Dispensed from his religious vows, he began his career in public secondary education and married Rita Claire Desmond in 1964.
For the next 30 years he held various positions as a teacher and administrator in the Freehold Regional High School District. After his retirement in 1994, he joined the guidance department in Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft, where he served until 2002.
He also earned a master of science degree in chemistry and mathematics from CUA in 1964; a master of education degree in administration and supervision from Rutgers University in 1970; and a master of arts degree in religious studies from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1981. In addition, he studied in Manhattan College, New York, and Monmouth University, West Long Branch.
He was ordained in the first diaconate class for the Diocese of Trenton in 1977 by Bishop George W. Ahr in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton. Following the creation of the Metuchen Diocese, he requested incardination to the new Diocese and served in St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Old Bridge where he served until his retirement in 2010.
In addition to his diaconate assignment, he served as director of the Office of Family Life from 1983 to 1996 and director of social ministry in St. Thomas the Apostle Parish. In 1991, he was awarded the papal honor of the Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice.
Deacon Fitzsimmons was predeceased by his son, Daniel Stephen, in 1998, and a brother, Patrick, in 2015.
In addition to his wife, Rita Claire of 51 years, he is survived by five sons and daughters-in-law and 13 grandchildren.
Burial was in St. Rose of Lima Parish cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association (www.mda.org) or De La Salle Nursing Development, 810 Newman Springs Rd., Lincroft, N.J. 07738.
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A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Feb. 17 in St. Rose of Lima Church, Freehold for Deacon John J. Fitzsimmons, who died Feb. 12 in Jersey Shore Medical Center, Neptune. He was 85.
Born in New York City, he attended Ascension School, New York, and St. Joseph High School, Barrytown. He received the Holy Habit of the Christian Brothers in September, 1949, taking the religious name of Brother Columban of Jesus. He attended The Catholic University of America, Washington, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry.
Following college he taught mathematics and science in De La Salle Institute, New York, and St. Joseph High School, West New York. Dispensed from his religious vows, he began his career in public secondary education and married Rita Claire Desmond in 1964.
For the next 30 years he held various positions as a teacher and administrator in the Freehold Regional High School District. After his retirement in 1994, he joined the guidance department in Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft, where he served until 2002.
He also earned a master of science degree in chemistry and mathematics from CUA in 1964; a master of education degree in administration and supervision from Rutgers University in 1970; and a master of arts degree in religious studies from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1981. In addition, he studied in Manhattan College, New York, and Monmouth University, West Long Branch.
He was ordained in the first diaconate class for the Diocese of Trenton in 1977 by Bishop George W. Ahr in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton. Following the creation of the Metuchen Diocese, he requested incardination to the new Diocese and served in St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Old Bridge where he served until his retirement in 2010.
In addition to his diaconate assignment, he served as director of the Office of Family Life from 1983 to 1996 and director of social ministry in St. Thomas the Apostle Parish. In 1991, he was awarded the papal honor of the Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice.
Deacon Fitzsimmons was predeceased by his son, Daniel Stephen, in 1998, and a brother, Patrick, in 2015.
In addition to his wife, Rita Claire of 51 years, he is survived by five sons and daughters-in-law and 13 grandchildren.
Burial was in St. Rose of Lima Parish cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association (www.mda.org) or De La Salle Nursing Development, 810 Newman Springs Rd., Lincroft, N.J. 07738.
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