Lee Edward Fitzgerald
OAKLAND – Lee Edward Fitzgerald, 89, passed away peacefully on March 17, 2023 at his home located on Messalonskee Lake in Oakland.
He was born in Waterville on Jan. 29, 1934; the only son of Harry and Mary (McCann) Fitzgerald. Lee grew up in Winslow, graduating from Winslow High School in 1952, where he excelled in basketball and baseball. He then went on to the University of Maine where he was honored to be selected his sophomore year into the University Owls Honors Society. He was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity. In 1954, he enlisted into the U.S. Army and trained in the Armor Branch, completing his term as an instructor. In 1956, he returned to the University of Maine, graduating in 1959 with a B.A. degree in History and Government.
Lee started his employment career with Travelers Insurance Co. in Hartford, Conn., trained in selling pension and group health plans for company employees. A change to State Mutual Insurance Co. took him to Providence, R.I.; Chicago, Ill.; Syracuse, N.Y. and onto Washington D.C. Lee started his own company, Global Benefits, offering group health benefits to companies and associations. He started another company, Group Claims Administration (GTA), which insured and processed health insurance claims for foreign students enrolled in colleges in the United States. He sold his business and retired in 2005.
Lee had a passion for old history and the many antiques that he had collected over the years. He liked nothing more than attending an antique auction to bid on a treasure that he had researched to know it’s true value. Lee accumulated a diverse collection of antique furniture, pewter, paintings, and was especially proud of a large collection of antique guns with his special interest in shotguns.
Lee took advantage of his retirement, along with his longtime companion, Delia Thompson, to travel several times to Ireland investigating places of interest and his family ancestry. He later flew to Rome, involving a three-week trip to Italy, Spain, Egypt, and many other points of interest on the Mediterranean Sea.
Lee is survived by his daughter, Laura Lee Fitzgerald of San Luis Obispo, Calif.; and longtime companion, Delia Thompson of Oakland.
A family and friends graveside service will be held at a later date.
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