Softball NL Is Saddened To Learn That Alexander (Duey) Fitzgerald Passed Away On Wednesday, August 22, 2018.
To Duey’s Family & Friends, Our Thoughts And Prayers Are With You During This Difficult Time.
SOFTBALL NL
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Alexander (Duey) Fitzgerald had an outstanding career in Baseball, Bowling & Softball and all three sports communities can agree he was definitely a colourful character.
Softball NL Board of Directors
Served 6-Years As Umpire-in-Chief (1969-1974).
Served 2-Years As Clinic Chairperson (1975-1976).
Served 2-Years As President (1977-1978).
Was Named Life-Member Of Softball NL In 1978.
Served 1-Year As Avalon Vice-President (1981).
Served 1-Year As Commissioner (1982).
Softball NL Awards
Named Male Executive Of The Year In 1988.
Softball NL Hall of Fame
Inducted Into The Softball NL Hall of Fame In 1975 – Umpire Category.
National Softball Championship (Host Committees)
Served On 11 Host Committees For National Championships.
Junior Ladies (1975)
Junior Men’s (1978, 1986, 1991, 1996 & 2000).
Senior Men’s (1979, 1989 & 1995).
Senior Ladies (1982 & 1988).
World Softball Championship (Host Committees)
Served On The Host Committee For The 1994 Women’s World Championship.
Softball Canada Hall of Fame
Inducted Into The Softball Canada Hall Of Fame In 1990 – Builder Category.
SportNL Hall of Fame
Inducted Into The SportNL Hall Of Fame In 1993 – Builder Category.
Member Of The Blue Crew
Served 1-Year As Secretary Of The St. John’s Metro Umpires Association (1972).
Named 1st Honorary Life-Member St. John’s Metro Umpires Association (1973).
Served 1-Year As 2nd VP Of The St. John’s Metro Umpires Association (1973).
Was An Active Umpire For 20 Years (1968-1969, 1970, 1972-1988)
Umpired At 3 Nationals: Senior Men’s (1973), Junior Ladies (1977) & Junior Men’s (1978).
Coaching
Coached Newfoundland Labrador Entries At 2 Senior Ladies Fastpitch Championships (1971-1972).
Senior League Executive
Served 8-Years As President Of The St. John’s Senior Men’s Fastpitch League (1987-1994).
Called Games On Cable 9 Between 1981-1994 — “It’s A High High Pop Fly” & “A Can Of Corn”.
A HALL OF FAMER
A Member Of An Impressive 7 Hall Of Fames (NL Record).
1975 Softball NL Hall of Fame.
1984 St. John’s Baseball Hall of Fame.
1985 St. John’s Softball Hall of Fame.
1986 Provincial Bowling Hall of Fame.
1987 Baseball NL Hall of Fame.
1990 Softball Canada Hall of Fame.
1993 Sport NL Hall of Fame.
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Alexander (Duey) John Fitzgerald
Passed peacefully away surrounded by family at St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital on August 22, 2018 at the age of 84 years. Predeceased by his parents Alexander (Sandy) and Isabel (Richardson), and sister Joan (Maunder). He leaves to mourn wife Shirley, sons Andy (Jackie Guy), and Stephen (Lisa), special granddaughter Avery “her nibbs”, and nieces Sandra and Renee. Also leaving to mourn his sister in law Ellen Oliver, brother in law Philip Oliver (Noel Baker), close family friends Margaret and Milton Dalton and family, Denis and Betty Murphy, and David “Snowy” Carroll.
Duey was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many. His life was dedicated to his family and sports. He was a proud Holy Cross baseball player and coach, and subsequently had a lengthy career as an umpire, volunteer, and sports broadcaster. Duey is the only Newfoundlander in seven sports Halls of Fame. He is a member of the Softball Canada, Softball Newfoundland and Labrador, and St. John’s Softball Halls of Fame, the St. John’s Baseball and Newfoundland Baseball Halls of Fame, the Newfoundland Bowling Hall of Fame, and the Newfoundland and Labrador Sports Hall of Fame. Duey was a proud “west-ender” and will be dearly missed by his family and many friends in the sporting community.
His family gratefully acknowledges the exceptional care provided by the staff at St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital. Visitation will be at Caul’s Funeral Home, 84 LeMarchant Road, St. John’s, on Saturday, August 25 and Sunday, August 26 from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Funeral will be held at St. Patrick’s Church, 6 Patrick Street, St. John’s on Monday, August 27 at 9:30 a.m. Flowers gratefully accepted or in lieu of flowers a donation may be made to The Gathering Place.
