Cecil Michael "Mike" Fitzgerald

Dr. Cecil Michael Fitzgerald died peacefully in Ketchikan, Alaska February 5, 2018 at the age of 77. "Mike" was born on December 28, 1940in Seattle, Washington. He met his future bride, Judith Anne Spendlove while singing in thechoir at Olympia High School. They were sealed in theCardston Alberta Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saintsin 1960 and continued singing together for the rest of their lives. We expect they are together now singing in heavenly choirs. During his early married life Mike served as an officer (Lieutenant) in the Navy as both a NavalAviator and an Instructor. He served 3 tours of duty in the South Pacific receiving the NationalDefense Service Medal, Viet Nam Service Medal with 3 Bronze stars and the Viet NamCampaign Medal. After graduating from The University of Washington witha DDS, and later The University of Minnesota with an MPH, Mike moved his family to Utah, motivated in part by the dream of singingin The Mormon Tabernacle Choir with his High School sweetheart. Mike and Judy sang togetherfor twenty years with the choir making multiple tours that took them around the world. While inUtah, Mike served as the Dental Health Director and the Assistant Medical Director for the UtahDepartment of Health. Mike had a beautiful tenor voice and was acaptivating performer known for singing hispersonal rendition of "If I Were a Rich Man" from Fiddler on the Roof. He enjoyed designingand building things and was an expert at refinishing woodwork. He loved the sea and was agifted Captain. He realized a lifelong dream of taking an extended voyage up The Inside Passageto Alaska in 1992 with his wife and children and their spouses as his eager, devoted andadmiring crew. When his beloved Judith passed away in 2009, he decided to sell the condo inUtah, buy a handicap accessible boat to live on and headed for Ketchikan, Alaska where heperformed an "Encore" (the name of his boat) to his "Life with Judy" (the title of his memoirs),continuing the tradition of nautical exploration with his family. He was ambitious and humble.Hewas generous andeager to serve and accept others. He lovedhis posteritywithout boundaries.He had a brilliant mind, understanding and exploring physics,history, current events and Mormon doctrine with a wondrous curiosity. He had an indefatigablefaith in his Heavenly Father and his place in the eternal realms that informed everything hethought and did. He faced Muscular Dystrophy without complaint,always exuding great faith,gratitude and a joyous outlook. As he realized that he was fast approaching the end of his mortallife, he declared "if I look back, I see Joy if I look ahead, I see joy". Adored and admired bymany, a friend to everyone he met, he is forever Our Captain. C. Michaelis survived by his children: Michael (Kathy) Fitzgerald, Daniel Cecil Fitzgerald,Rebecca (Brian) Gardner, Rachel (Jesi) Chapman, and Kathleen Anne(Jordan) Needles; siblingsGeri (David) Robnett, Robert E Fitzgerald, Kelly (Steve) Barker; 25 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Judith Anne Spendlove; granddaughter, Sabrina Anne Needles; parents Robert Emmett Fitzgerald and Ruth Bertha Geck;and sister, Patricia Baker. Funeral services will be held Friday, March 2, 2018, 11:30 AM., at The Church of Jesus Christ ofLatter-day Saints, 15399 South Noell Nelson Dr, Bluffdale, Utah, where a viewing will be heldprior to services from 9:30-11:15 AM. Interment will be at Utah Memorial Park with a briefgraveside service following the funeral. Place of Birth:Seattle, WAPlace of Death:Ketchikan, AK