Our History

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.

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 St. Marys Catholic Church. The funeral home later relocated to Jefferson Street, before finally moving to Rockton Avenue.

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 (northwest 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

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.

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 died.

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 Funeral Home & Crematory 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

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.

2004 - Funeral Director Melinda Hagerman was recognized as the recipient of 2004 Crusader Clinic "Spirit of Caring" Award.

2006 - Tom Fitzgerald received the Veritas Award of Muldoon/Boylan/St. Thomas Alumni Association

2007 - Due to a major fire in October, 2006 our Riverside Chapel was rebuilt and restored beautifully. Also, Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory was featured as the "Irish Family Business of the Year" at the Ethnic Heritage Museum in Rockford.

2011 - Fitzgerald Funeral Home was again awarded the prestigious Pursuit of Excellence Award. Tom Fitzgerald places First Runner-up for Funeral Director of the Year.

2012 - This is our family's 98th year of service to Rockford. That's a heritage for which we are very proud!