Daniel Fitzpatrick

Daniel Fitzpatrick

October 26, 1946 - August 25, 2014

Daniel Fitzpatrick

October 26, 1946 - August 25, 2014

Obituary

The second of six children, Dan was born October 26, 1946 in Whitehall, Wisconsin to Rita Catherine Malone and Daniel Francis Fitzpatrick. He died at home in San Clemente, California of cardiovascular issues on August 25, 2014 at the age of 67. He grew up in North Hollywood, California where he attended St. Patrick’s Catholic School. His family moved to Bergenfield, New Jersey when he was in the ninth grade. He graduated in 1964 from Bergenfield High School.

While at Bergenfield High School he met his lifelong sweetheart, Maureen Jeanne Boos. They where married at St. John’s Church in Bergenfield, New Jersey, on March 28, 1965 and had three children: Kathleen, Daniel, and Kelly. The new family spent the first few years in Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey. Dan worked as a photographer for the FBI and studied at Fairleigh Dickinson University. He became a licensed electrician and moved to Mission Viejo, California in 1973 while working for Mosler.

In 1975 he began his long career as an entrepreneur by starting his own electrical contracting business, Fitzpatrick Electric, installing electrical systems in commercial and residential buildings. In 1984 he and his business partner started Counterpointe, a real estate and business development company in Laguna Beach. Counterpointe developed residential and commercial buildings, hotels, and restaurants. In 1988 Rosa’s Italian Restaurant (high-end Italian dining) in Ontario was developed and is still owned and operated by Counterpointe. They also created The New York Grill (a steak house and jazz venue) also in Ontario that was sold in 2012. Counterpointe also ran an NASD broker dealer and various companies in the insurance industry.

In the 1980s he put his three children and his wife Maureen through UC Irvine where the kids each earned a Bachelor degree and Maureen her PhD.

Dan was well loved by those he served and worked with. For 30 years he was avidly involved with helping people overcome drug and alcohol addiction. He operated two recovery homes and attended countless meetings and counseling sessions with those in recovery. He always saw the potential in people and believed they could change and achieve their potential through learning and relying on God.

Dan enjoyed the ocean immensely. Boating and fishing were a great love of his. He spent many days enjoying the surf at Capo Beach and Laguna Beach. He will be buried at sea off the coast of Capo Beach following the funeral service.

Dan was preceded in death by his father Daniel Francis Fitzpatrick. He is survived by his wife, Maureen Fitzpatrick of San Clemente, his mother Rita Fitzpatrick of Sandy Utah, daughter Kathleen (Chris) Cosby of San Juan Capistrano with grandchildren Bryan, Joshua, and Kayla; son Daniel (Kim) Fitzpatrick of Estes Park, Colorado with grandchildren Michael, Lauren, Nathan, William, and Daniel; daughter Kelly Francis Fitzpatrick of San Francisco; sisters Pat Buniva of Sandy, Utah and Susan Tuite of Draper Utah; brothers Michael Fitzpatrick of Long Island New York, Dennis Fitzpatrick of Fontana, and James Fitzpatrick of Draper, Utah.

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13 responses to Daniel Fitzpatrick

  1. Peter Buniva says:

    I have so many fond memories of my Uncle Dan. He always greeted me with a huge smile and bear hug and always asked with his East coast charm “Hey, how you doin’ kid?” I’m well into my forties and would still grin ear to ear whenever he would ask. It was just cool.
    There are so many things in my life that are influenced by Uncle Dan. Sailing with him and the family when I was young is still something I tell people about. In fact, just a few months ago my wife and I purchased a decorative sailboat to display on the center of our fireplace mantle because it reminded me of those days.
    Above all else, I love his sense of humor. There are a few childhood memories that make you laugh beyond reason. This one is right at the top: I had the opportunity to go on a road trip with Uncle Dan and the family from Utah through a couple national parks and on to California. The six of us were sharing space in Billy’s old surfing van. We pulled into at a rest stop to make some sandwiches for lunch. While looking for the ingredients Aunt Maureen realized the loaf of bread had been crushed by one of the many pieces of luggage rolling around in the van. While holding up the mangled bag she said “Oh no, Dan, the sandwich bread got smashed!”
    Still holding on to the steering wheel, Uncle Dan looked over his shoulder and said “Oh, no Wonder!”
    We must have laughed for twenty minutes. It was so perfect, and silly, and stupid. That was over thirty years ago and I swear to God I haven’t looked at a bag of bread and not thought of him since that day.
    Nothing but love, big man. Thank you!!!

    Peter

  2. So we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For these light momentary afflictions are preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. As we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are temporary, but the things that are unseen are eternal. 2 Corinthians: 4:16-18

    Go with God my kind, beloved Uncle Danny, and give my love to those who wait for us.

    Cousin Beth, Douglas and Zoey

  3. Mike Morris says:

    Few remember the book, “Cave Notes”, by Dave K. Dan financed the publication of that little treasury of wit and wisdom back in the late 80’s. WPS Publishing, (Win, Place, and Show) with the three racing horse’s heads logo just lost the lead horse. Dave K. and Mike M., the place and show runners on the logo, will miss Dan greatly.

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