Date of Birth:
Monday, July 17, 1939
Date of Death:
Monday, July 19, 2021
Age:
82 years old

Joseph Daniel Fitzpatrick

Joseph Daniel “Joe” Fitzpatrick, 82, of Rochester passed away peacefully at home, with his family by his side, on July 19, 2021.

Joe was born on July 17, 1939 in Rochester, to Daniel Francis and Clara (Elliott) Fitzpatrick. He attended Simpson country school and graduated from Lourdes High School in 1958. He was already an avid racing fan and participant by contributing to the pit crew of his brother, Paul’s very successful Late Model racing career, having one of the fastest boats on the lake, and competing for the fastest machine in the pioneering of the sport called snowmobiling. When his good friend, Jack Frederichs tragically died in a car accident in 1963, Joe was there for his widow, Ann Kneesker, and her 2 infant children, Jack and Deanna. On February 6, 1965 he married Ann Kneeskern at St. Pius X Catholic Church. At the same time, Joe also took on a fatherly role for Ann’s 3 youngest sisters, Mary, Joan and Carol. When the interstate 90 roadway project cut the Fitzpatrick Simpson area farmstead in half, Joe hopped off the tractor and onto a scraper and began his legendary roadway construction career. He first worked road construction as an operator for Leon Joyce and evolved into a foreman with Sullivan Construction and later Superintendent at Road Constructors and The City of Rochester. Because of his reputation for quality construction of the roadway infrastructure in the booming development of the Rochester area, The City of Rochester highly recruited him to take charge of the roads within Rochester. He retired from the City of Rochester in 2011, after almost 20 years as Street Superintendent. In the interim, Joe was proud to be able to couple his lifelong love for racing, and his exceptional heavy equipment operator talent, to run the road grader to help consult, maintain and prepare the Deer Creek Speedway track for eighteen years. During his tenure, Deer Creek Speedway was voted National track of the year in 2010, in part by Joe’s skill and effort. He passionately enjoyed the family cabin in Danbury Wisconsin for its snowmobiling trails and boating since 1972. He was also equally passionate in his support of his children and grandchildren’s’ athletic endeavors from football to hockey to cheer. Joe and Ann are revered by all by their children, grandchildren, and even friend’s offspring dedication to attendance of sports events.

He is survived by his wife, Ann of Rochester; his children, Deanna (Darren) Frederichs, John “Jack” (Ginger) Frederichs, and Daniel (Marcia Carrigan) Fitzpatrick; grandchildren, Megan, Connor, Ryan, DJ, Donavon, Dominic, Bianca, and Benaysay; great-grandchildren, Aubree, Nalarose, Chayton, and Aiden; his brother, Paul; his sister, Marion Heins; and numerous nieces, nephews and in-laws.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his grandson, Shane.

The Funeral Mass for Joe will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 23, 2021, at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church in Simpson, MN with Father Thomas Loomis officiating. Visitation will be held on Thursday evening from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on July 22, 2021, in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at church. Burial will be in the St. Bridget’s Cemetery.