Submitted by: Mary Jo Koran

FITZGERALD

SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE – September 6, 2002

Rev. Mark J. Fitzgerald, C.S.C.

May 28, 1906 - Sept. 3, 2002

Father Mark James Fitzgerald, C.S.C., died on Tuesday, Sept. 3, in Holy Cross House, Notre Dame, Ind. He was 96 years old. Fr. Fitzgerald was born in Olean, N.Y., on May 28, 1906, to Edward and Helen Fitzgerald.

Fr. Fitzgerald attended St. Mary of the Angel Grade School in Olean, and graduated from Olean High School in 1924. He entered St. Bonaventure University a year later, and after one year transferred to the University of Notre Dame, graduating with a degree in economics in 1928. A keen student of business, he entered the MBA program at Harvard, graduating in 1931.

Strong faith and a commitment to the church then led Fr. Fitzgerald to religious life in the Congregation of Holy Cross. He entered St. Joseph Novitiate, Rolling Prairie, Ind., on July 1, 1933, and made his first profession of vows in February 1935. Following the novitiate, he returned to Notre Dame to prepare for theological studies. From 1936 to 1940, Fr. Fitzgerald then studied at Holy Cross College, Washington, D.C. On June 24, 1940, he was ordained to the priesthood at Sacred Heart Church, Notre Dame.

For the next six years Fr. Fitzgerald taught economics at the University of Notre Dame and served as a residence hall prefect on campus. In 1946 he began graduate studies in economics at the University of Chicago where he earned a doctorate in 1949. He returned to Notre Dame where he worked for the next 50 years in the dormitories, in the classroom and in the administration. At the University he held various positions including Director of Industrial Relations, was a member of the Graduate Council, and was founding director of the annual Union Management Conference. He authored books on management and labor, and was known across the country for his work in labor relations. As a member of the National Academy of Arbitrators, he served on various federal arbitration panels. In 1946 he received an award from the United States government "in recognition of meritorious service performed with the National War Labor Board during World War II," and was featured in "Who's Who in America."

In addition to his scholarship and professional involvement in economics, Fr. Fitzgerald had an interest in a variety of topics from nature to nutrition. He jogged each day well into his 90s until a broken ankle forced him to walk. Devoted to drama and poetry of all sorts, he committed many passages to memory and would declaim, proclaim and orate at a moment's notice. Due to deteriorating health at the age of 94, he moved to Holy Cross House in August 2000. A faithful religious and dedicated priest and scholar, Fr. Mark Fitzgerald will be greatly missed by his family, the Holy Cross community, professional colleagues at Notre Dame and many friends.

A wake service will be held for Father Mark J. Fitzgerald, C.S.C., in the chapel of Moreau Seminary, Notre Dame, at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday evening, Sept. 8. The funeral Mass will be celebrated in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Notre Dame, at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 9. Burial will follow at the Community Cemetery, Notre Dame.

The Kaniewski Funeral Home, South Bend, is in charge of arrangements.