Harry Washington Fitzgerald Jr.

ALBION – Harry Washington Fitzgerald Jr., age 91, of Albion, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024, at his home in Albion, with his family beside him.

Harry was born at San Pedro Navy Base to Harry and Elenore Fitzgerald on August 18, 1932. Being a “Navy brat,” he moved from the west coast to the east coast and to the Hawaiian islands. He, his mother, his younger brother and little sister left the islands three weeks before the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Harry graduated from Long Beach High School. He then followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the U.S. Navy. Upon discharge from the Navy, he returned to southern California. There he went to Citrus College where he played football.

After college, he went to work for Aerojet General. There he was a liaison engineer. Aerojet was part of NASA’s Apollo Rocket project. The Apollo rocket put our men on the moon.

He met the love of his life when her father brought him home for dinner. Her father and Harry both worked for Aerojet General. He married Edith (Edie) Leigh Joyce two years later on April 10, 1965. They adopted their son, Joe Fitzgerald, in July, 1971. Fifteen years later they were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Tamara. What a surprise!

In 1976, Harry moved his family to Rupert, Idaho, to work at the Idaho Youth Ranch. In August 1991, they moved to Albion, Idaho, where he fulfilled a lifelong dream of owning enough land to raise cattle. There he lived happily until his death.

Harry was preceded in death by his brother, Fred; his sister, Verginia Johnson; and his youngest brother, Robert. He lost his grandson, Josh Fitzgerald in June of 2023.

He is survived by his wife, Edie; son, Joe (Hope) Fitzgerald; daughter, Tamara Fitzgerald; and grandchildren, Megan Alexander Fitzgerald, Aiden Gamel, and Megan Marie Gamel.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 3, at Burley United Methodist Church, located at 450 E. 27th St, in Burley, with the Reverend Kenneth L. Haftorson officiating. Military honors will be provided by the Mini-Cassia Veterans Group.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Rasmussen-Wilson Funeral Home of Burley.

A live webcast of the Funeral Service will be available and maintained at the following link: https://youtu.be/0bZUIyLUqBk.