Frank P. Fitzmaurice

Francis Patrick Fitzmaurice, Sr. "Frank" After a valient battle with cancer and surrounded by his family, Francis (Frank) Patrick Fitzmaurice Sr. died peacefully at his home in Bowie, MD on March 9, 2012. He was 80. Survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Patricia Coan Fitzmaurice, and his nine children Shawn (Diana), Brian (Jennifer), Dan, Jamie (Suzanne), Frank (Mary Beth), Tim (Ann), Peter (Lydia), Mary (Ashur) and Patricia; by his sisters Teresa and Kathleen, his brothers Michael and Tom; 29 grandchildren, 1 great granddaughter, and over 50 nieces and nephews. He is pre-deceased by his brother Jack, and his sister Nora. Born in 1932, to Patrick and Kathleen Fitzmaurice, immigrants from Ireland, he was born and raised in Washington, DC; attended Holy Trinity Grade School; graduated from Gonzaga College High School in 1950; Georgetown University in 1956 and Georgetown University Law Center in 1961. He served in the U.S. Army in the DC National Guard's military police unit during the Korean War. After earning his law degree, his professional career began in the federal government as a legal and congressional liaison at the Housing and Home Finance Agency (HUD) in 1961; from 1965 to 1968 as a program coordinator at the U.S. Office of Education; from 1968 to 1970 at the Department of Health, Education and Welfare as a policy officer in the Office of Grants Administration Policy; from 1970 to 1984 as an executive counselor in the Secretary's Office of Facilities Engineering at the Department of Health and Human Services. As one of a small number of civilian employees he attended the executive management program at the National Defense University's Industrial College of the Armed Forces and earned his diploma in 1980. As a policy and legislative analyst for Legislation, Planning and Evaluation he reported to the Secretary clearing testimony for congressional hearings until his retirement in 1988. Post-retirement he assisted the Office of Legislative Reference for the Maryland General Assembly in the preparation of legislation. Fifty years ago this month, March, 1962, he moved his young family to the new Belair community of Bowie, MD, and involved himself in civic and church organizations. He was appointed to the Executive Committee of the Belair Citizens Association and subsequently became one of its three directors. He was a candidate for the Bowie City Council in 1963. Initially involved with the development of St. Pius X Catholic parish, he helped transform the Sacred Heart mission church into a full parish and served it in various capacities. He was a long time member of both the Knights of Columbus and the Commodore John Barry Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. He greatly enjoyed making pilgrimages back to County Kerry, Ireland with family and friends. Family will receive friends at BEALL FUNERAL HOME, 6512 NW Crain Highway (Rte. 3 South), Bowie, MD on Wednesday March 14, 2012 from 2-4pm and 7-9pm. Frank's long and giving life will be celebrated at a Mass of Christian burial at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Bowie, MD on March 15, 2012 at 1pm. Interment, Sacred Heart Cemetery.