Age 51. 141 Shore Avenue, Merrymount (Quincy), MA. Born 9/17/1891, Co. Mayo, Ireland. Died of carbon monoxide poisoning (death certificate). Certified public accountant, Bigelow, Kent, Willard & Co. (management engineers), Boston. Was a widower and father of five children: Ruth, age 19, Phyllis, age 18, Robert, age 16, Richard, age 14, and Barbara, age 11. Recalled in a 2017 unpublished memoir by eldest daughter Ruth (as Mrs. Ruth Rogers, at age 94) that her father had attended the Grove with "a female colleague." Wrote that she remembered watching the family priest walk to the front door the next morning with news of the tragedy. Related that the funeral director waived fees, neighbors offered support, and the bank made concessions so that the orphaned siblings could remain in their house. Added: "Eventually we left our lovely home and moved into a simple rental unit requiring an affordable monthly payment..." Youngest daughter Barbara (at age 86) recalled in December 2017 that the (otherwise) unidentified female companion of her father at the club was named "Mary Burke," of Milton, MA. Revealed that she had been informed both had safely escaped, but that Mr. Fitzgerald died going back inside to retrieve the latter's coat. His otherwise unknown companion survived (was not hospitalized) but had no further contact with the family. One of 60 "probable identifications" listed Sunday morning (8:00 a.m.) at Southern Mortuary, Boston (all male). One of two patrons named "Michael Fitzgerald" at the club when the fire broke (also unconnected Michael A. Fitzgerald, age 60, of Allston, MA, a survivor). To the U.S. in 1912. Relocated from Arlington, MA, to Quincy two years prior. Was subject of the first known Grove death claim to be filed with the new federal Social Security program, on December 1. One of two fire victims survived by five minors (also James "Jim" Slattery, age 41; in addition victim John W. Griffin, age 34, was survived by four minors plus one yet unborn). Late wife former M. Frances Commons, died of tuberculosis in 1937. Parents Mr. and Mrs. Patrick and Bridget (Halligan) Fitzgerald. Burial at Mount Wollaston Cemetery, Quincy. Middle name Joseph.

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