IN MEMORY

Rev. David Benedict Fitzpatrick, S.F.M.
1927-2003

By Fr. John Carten, S.F.M.
Summer 2003

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On April 5, 2003, Fr. Dave Fitzpatrick passed away at the Marianhill Residence in Pembroke, Ontario. Fr. Dave had been ill for the past few years and returned to Pembroke in 1998 when the effects of diabetes and arthritis debilitated him.

Fr. Dave was born in Pembroke on June 8, 1927, of Joseph and Teresa Fitzpatrick. There were five boys and three girls in the close knit family. He was ordained a priest for Scarboro Missions on December 22, 1951, in Pembroke by Bishop Smith. Filled with zeal to proclaim God's love for all people, he went to Japan in 1952 working in Nagoya, Aino in Nagasaki Prefecture, and then in Ichinomiya.

In 1960, Fr. Dave went to St. Vincent and the Grenadines for two years. In 1965, he returned to Japan where he spent the next 30 years, mostly in Minokamo, near Nagoya. Sickness forced him to return to Canada in 1993.

As a missioner, Fr. Dave was second to none. His warm personality, wonderful sense of humor, and thoughtful remembrances endeared him to many people. He enjoyed people and was always ready to say hello and welcome anyone and everyone into his heart. He reached out with his contagious smile and formed lasting bonds of friendship. He wanted everyone to come to know and rely on God's love.

Japan and its people were the love of Fr. Dave's life. During the 46 years that he worked there, he came to love Japanese food, the culture, the music, and the people. He had friends from the northern tip of Hokkaido to the southern islands of Okinawa. Fr. Dave was also a life long hockey enthusiast and several years ago he was honored by the Japanese Hockey Federation for his contribution to the development of hockey in Japan.

The Mass of the Resurrection was celebrated at St. Columbkille Cathedral in Pembroke. Fr. Jack Lynch, Superior General of Scarboro Missions, was the main celebrant. I gave the homily as I had the privilege of working for many years in Japan at the same time as Fr. Dave. About 30 priests from Pembroke Diocese also concelebrated.

Mary Fitzpatrick, Fr. Dave's sister-in-law, planned the funeral liturgy in great detail. Many of Dave's nieces and nephews did the readings and served as pallbearers. During the offertory procession, along with the bread and wine, six young members of Fr. Dave's family carried to the altar symbols of his life in Japan. These included a hockey sweater given to him by the Japan Hockey Association, cherry blossoms for Japan's beauty, an English book for his many years of teaching English as a second language to the Japanese people, and a Japanese kimono for the culture he grew to love and admire.

Roy and Etsumi Sakaguchi were also present, representing the Japanese Catholic community that meets at Scarboro Missions in Toronto once a month.

Fr. Dave was buried beside his parents at St. Columba Cemetery.

At the same time as the funeral mass, a memorial mass was celebrated at Scarboro Missions, attended by the Scarboro community, staff, and members of the Japanese Catholic community. Fr. Mike Traher was the main celebrant and Fr. Cleary Villeneuve, a classmate and co-worker in Japan with Fr. Dave, gave the homily.

A memorial mass was also celebrated at Minokamo parish, the last parish where Fr. Dave worked in Japan. In attendance were many Japanese friends of Fr. Dave and parishioners of Minokamo Catholic Church. Scarboro Missions was represented by Fr. Jim Gauthier, S.F.M.

We give thanks for the great blessing that Fr. Dave has been to us and to the Japanese people, and we pray that he may now enjoy the fullness of life in God's presence.

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