Edmund J. Fitzmaurice, Jr.

Like a true Irishman, so very proud of his heritage, Ed Fitzmaurice brought joy to all around him – always generous with a smile, a story or a song.  His family is especially grateful to have been blessed with his joy, in more ways than they thought possible, until the very end.

Edmund Joseph Fitzmaurice, Jr., age 90, passed away early on May 31, 2021, at his home in Barnegat, NJ.  Devoted to his beloved wife, Rosine (nee Lang), of 63 years.  Adored by his children Edmund J. Fitzmaurice III of Mineola, NY and his wife Donna; Deborah L. Fitzmaurice of Red Bank, NJ; Eileen Rafferty of Red Bank, NJ and her husband Gerard; and Moira Nelson of Asbury Park, NJ.

Thrilled by his grandchildren Shawn F. Rafferty and his wife Hilary; Patrick M. Rafferty and his wife Christa; Shannon E. Rafferty and her fiancé J. Ryan Fix; Phoebe R. Fitzmaurice; and Piper R. Fitzmaurice.  And awed by his Great Grandson Dylan W. Rafferty, son of Shawn and Hilary.

The proud son of Edmund J. Sr. and Mary (nee MacLoraine), Ed traces his roots back to County Kerry, Ireland where the Fitzmaurice Castle still stands in Ballybunion.  Ed was born 12/16/30, in Philadelphia, PA where he found himself surrounded by his loving sisters Rosemary, Margaret, Constance and Jeanne.  He was the cherished uncle of their 16 children. 

Ed attended Our Lady of Lourdes Grammar School and St. Thomas More High School.  However, he took a circuitous route through college.  Having completed 3 years at Villanova University, his education was interrupted by the Korean War. After serving four years in the U.S. Air Force, he returned to Villanova and graduated, in 1956, with a B.S. in Economics.

Ed’s first job, out of college, took him to NJ.  In 1958, he brought his young bride to East Orange where Eddie, III and Debbie were born.  In 1961 they moved to Old Bridge where Eileen was born. Here, as a founding member of the Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh, Ed marched in many St. Patrick’s Day parades.  The year 1974 brought the Fitzmaurice family to Middletown where Moira was born.  Ed was an award-winning salesperson of heavy industrial construction equipment for many years.  When it was time to move on from sales, he joined Rosine, at her company, Interior Plantscapes. 

When Ed and Rosine were ready to retire, they moved to Barnegat, NJ where Ed found fulfillment in volunteering – picking up bagels and washing enormous pots for Ken’s Kitchen, chauffeuring elderly neighbors to medical appointments for Interfaith Ministries and directing visitors at Southern Ocean Medical Center. 

Visitation Thursday, June 3 from 5:00pm-8:00pm at the Barnegat Funeral Home, 841 W. Bay Ave., Barnegat. (www.barnegatfh.com). Funeral Mass 11:00am on Friday, June 4 at St. Mary’s R.C. Church,  Barnegat. (www.stmarybarnegat.com).

Ed would be very pleased to see any of you get together with another of you to share a meal, a smile, a story.

If you’d like to make a memorial donation, we would love to see it go to Smile Train, https://www.smiletrain.org or Ken’s Kitchen c/o St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 747 West Bay Avenue, Barnegat, NJ 08005 (www.stmarybarnegat.com).

The family extends its heartfelt thanks to the dedicated and caring professionals at Bayada Hospice and to the generous, warm-hearted Leonie Grey – we will miss you.

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