Timothy James Fitzgerald, 51

Timothy James Fitzgerald, 51, of Powell, Ohio, died peacefully on Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010, surrounded by his loving family after a five-year battle against lung cancer.

Tim was born on Oct. 20, 1959, in Sewickley, Pa.,, the son of Donald Fitzgerald and Patricia (Woods) Fitzgerald. 

He married Sandra Smith on Sept. 2, 1995, in Columbus, Ohio. With their two young sons the family moved to Sandpoint, Idaho in 2006, and returned to Powell in July of this year.

Before moving to Idaho ,Tim worked in construction and later as a surgical technician. In recent years Tim worked as a full-time fun-loving household engineer and stay-at-home dad — the best job in the world. He not only bought groceries, fixed snacks, went on school field trips, and coached his sons’ soccer teams, but also dressed as Spiderman for birthdays, organized tractor rides on Halloween, and brought to the kids’soccer games coolers filled with cold drinks for the kids and adult beverages for parents.  More than one mother of busy households had been known to say, “I want a Tim.”

Tim had an incredible love of the outdoors and his adventures with family and friends involved camping, road trips, boating, skiing, dog sledding, midnight snow shoeing, traveling around the world and more — always generating great memories and  fostering smiles and laughter as the stories are told and retold. 

Tim was preceded in death by his father, Donald Fitzgerald; and his brother, Donald Fitzgerald. Tim is survived by his loving wife of 15 years, Sandra Smith Fitzgerald, and their sons, Collin and Sean, of whom he was so proud and loved with every ounce of his being. He is also survived by his mother, Pat Fitzgerald, his sister, Sheila Bartha (Bob); mother-in-law, Jane Engle Smith; sister-in-law, Narra Smith Cox (Tom); sister-in law, Jennifer Smith-Engle; nephews Brandon Cox, Reed Cox, and Dante Pucci; and his niece, Narra Pucci.

Tim is also survived by many, many loving friends. The family extends a special “thank you” to good friends George and Cathy Cleary, Laura and Steve Miller, Gary and Lisa Smith, and Brian and Karen Bailey for their loving support, especially these last few weeks. The family would also like to thank the staff of Ohio State University SICU and the staff of Kobacher Home Hospice who provided a “homey place” for Tim, his family and friends during the last few days of Tim’s life.

A mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2010, at Our Lady of Peace Church, 20 E. Dominion Blvd in Columbus, with Father Kevin Kavanaugh officiating, and will be followed by a reception to celebrate Tim’s life.

In lieu of flowers memorial gifts in Tim’s name can be made to Uniting Against Lung Cancer at  www.unitingagainstlungcancer.org, 27 Union Square West #304, New York, NY, 10003 or Kobacher House (HomeReach Hospice), 3595 Olentangy River Road, Columbus, Ohio 43214-4034.

Please visit www.caringbridge.org/visit/timfitzgerald/guestbook to share memories or extend condolences.