Fitzgerald Jr., Benedict F.
Of Cambridge, and Hyannisport, where he enjoyed spending his summers. Passed peacefully on September 20th at age 103 after a full and rather remarkable life. According to the Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers documentation in 2014, he was the longest practicing attorney in the state. During his long career, Benedict worked under Presidents Roosevelt and Truman and represented a host of interesting clients including President John Kennedy’ father (Joseph Kennedy Sr.), Zsa Zsa Gabor and Jimmy Hoffa.
After graduating from Cambridge Latin he began his work life as a photographer and journalist for the Hearst newspaper before entering Boston University Law School. After being admitted to the Bar, Ben moved to Washington D.C. to establish his law practice. He also served as a pilot and flight instructor in the United States Navy, where he taught a group of Chinese men how to fly, who then became known as the “Flying Tigers”. Among others, he also taught Ted Williams and Jimmy Piersall how to fly. He had a short foray into politics waging two state level campaigns which were ultimately unsuccessful – one for Secretary of State and another for Lieutenant Governor. He accepted several congressional assignments one of which involved investigating medical misconduct and which result in what became known as “the Fitzgerald Report”.
He enthusiastically attended gatherings of all kinds with family, friends and with the broader community. An example of community participation was highlighted in a 2015 Harvard Gazette article where the reporter captured a comment expressing his enjoyment in the annual Cambridge Senior Picnic in Harvard yard. Ben embraced change and loved innovation. He once remarked that he spent time riding with his father in a Horse and Buggy as a child to play concerts for Isabella Stewart Gardner. He lived to benefit from advances in technology that afforded interconnectedness with colleagues and friends across the globe. As a “Cambridge Classic figure”, he will be sorely missed!
He is survived by his daughters Tara Fitzgerald and Bonnie Hewitt. He is preceded in death by his wife Jean M. (O’Neill), his mother Erna Hedwig (Shuler) and his father, Benedict F. Fitzgerald Sr. who was a concert pianist and Director of Music for the Cambridge Public Schools for many years, and his siblings Geraldine, Irene, and Gregory. He is also survived by many relatives and dear friends.
A Memorial Funeral Mass will be held on Benedict’s birthday, May 25, 2018 in St. Paul’s Church, Harvard Square, at 10AM. In lieu of flowers, gifts in his memory may be sent to a charity of your choice. For directions or online condolences please visit www.keefefuneralhome.com