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In 1905 Frank R. Fitzgerald left the family farm in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin and went to Chicago to attend the Barnes School of Anatomy and Embalming. He later moved to Milwaukee and worked for eight years at Brett Funeral Home.
In 1914 Frank moved to Rockford to go into business with William Murphy who was also an alderman in the city of Rockford. The funeral home was first located on West State Street near Didier Florist, Eytalis Shoe and Salamone Meat Market, once thriving establishments on Rockford's West side. The next location was on Winnebago Street, across the street from where St Mary's Catholic Church once was. The funeral home later relocated to Jefferson Street, before finally moving to Rockton Avenue.
In 1918 Fitzgerald secured the government contract to serve our fallen countrymen at Rockford's Camp Grant, the training camp for World War I soldiers. This was the same year of a severe flu epidemic. Fitzgerald assisted hundreds of families nationwide by preparing and arranging for the return home of these fallen soldiers.
1949 - Robert (Bob) Fitzgerald joined his father in the funeral business.
1959 - With continued growth and with the idea of providing better service to their community, the funeral home was moved from Jefferson Street to new and improved facilities at its present location at 3910 N. Rockton Avenue (northeast corner of Rockton Avenue and Riverside Blvd).
1961 - Our founder, Frank Fitzgerald, died at the age of 73.
1973 -Thomas Fitzgerald, Bob's son, was a sophomore at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, pursuing a Business Degree when he was encouraged by his paternal grandmother to return to Rockford and work with his dad in the family funeral home. Tom transferred to Worsham College in Chicago where he completed requirements for his state Funeral Director's license.
1982 - A large Chapel was added to the Rockton Avenue location
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1986 - Tom purchased property on Mulford Road from Arlington Cemetery for future expansion and hired Melinda Hagerman as the Family Services/Aftercare Coordinator. Melinda formed support groups and organized activities such as the Walk To Remember for people who have lost a child (held the first Sunday in October) and Holiday Help, in November to offer support and suggestions for individuals to get through the holidays. Melinda was recognized in 2004 as the recipient of 2004 Crusader Clinic "Spirit of Caring" Award. |
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1992 - Fitzgerald Funeral Home was the Recipient of the very distinguished Pursuit of Excellence Award - 4th place in North America. We are especially honored because it is previous award winners who vote on recipients to recognize exemplary efforts in educational programming and support group activities. To date, Fitzgerald's is the only funeral home in Rockford to have received this award. Also in 1992, after serving 43 years in the family business, Bob Fitzgerald, Tom and Frank's father died in January.
1996 - Ground was broken for the Mulford Chapel to include an on-site crematory. This facility is the most modern in the area and also serves as our headquarters.
Fitzgerald & Associates is the 1st in many categories:
- 1st and only Rockford funeral home to receive the Pursuit of Excellence Award
- 1st Rockford funeral home with 2 locations
- 1st Rockford funeral home with an aftercare program
- 1st Rockford funeral home to hire a female funeral director
- In 2002 Tom Fitzgerald became the first funeral director to ever receive the Lifesaving Partners Award from the Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Network for his advocacy on behalf of families of organ & tissue donors.
2005 is our family's 91st year of service to Rockford. That's a heritage we are proud of.
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