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Mike Sweeney

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RIP "Mr. Fitz" - My link to classic golf courses.....
« on: May 06, 2016, 05:45:05 PM »
Fenton J. FitzPatrick Sr. "Fenny", age 84, on May 2, 2016 of Bala Cynwyd, PA. Fenton had a 50 yr. long career in banking, retiring from Beneficial Bank after 30 yrs. and was a member of Merion Golf Club for 57 yrs. Predeceased by his loving wife of 55 yrs. Marianne S. "Dosie", and his 3 brothers Henry B. Jr., Kevin I. and Richard A. Fitzpatrick.
Survived by his sons Fenton J. Jr. (Maria), Thomas C. and Sean H. (Rebecca), and his daughter Moira A. FitzPatrick, also his 6 loving grandchildren: Fenton III, Kathryn, Caroline, Thomas, Sean Jr. and Liam, his sister Pauline M. FitzPatrick, and his sister-in-law Patricia G. Fitzpatrick.
http://danjolell.tributes.com/obituary/read/Fenton-J.-Fenny-FitzPatrick-103537664

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Mr. Fitz was completely old school, but he wasn't. In an era where "Fitzpatrick" was not a name heard on membership rosters at certain clubs in Philadelphia, the Fitzpatrick Brother's love for golf got them into Merion Golf Club. Brendan and Fenton Fitzpatrick were the two brothers that set the standard for me and many of their kid's friends in dealing with formal golf on The Main Line of Philadelphia in the 1970-80's.

My Dad did not play golf, so Mr Fitz was my "Golf Dad" in many ways. We started out on The West, but Mr Fitz never questioned his membership versus our passion to play The East. He got us out on a regular basis on The East and thankfully, he never got a letter due to me :)


I can't say that he was an "Architecture Guru" favored by this site, but he was a "Golf Guru" in sharing the game with many many people. Last count, there are 6-8+ Fitzpatrick's at Merion Golf Club, and all of those guys have shared the experience with so many others over the years.


I saw Mr Fitz a few April's ago at The Irish Invitational, a yearly fund raiser on Good Friday at "The Shore" run by Fenton Jr. I was telling him about New York courses, and he mentioned that he always wanted to play Shinnecock. I was like, "tell the Merion Pro to set you up" (and bring me :)  ). Mr Fitz was so humble that it just never crossed his mind to ask and at that stage of life, he was only playing The West in a cart with grandson Fenton III.


Golf has always been good to me, and it really started in many ways with Mr Fitz.


Thanks Mr Fitz.

« Last Edit: May 06, 2016, 10:48:06 PM by Mike Sweeney »
"One of the saddest lessons of history is this: If we’ve been bamboozled long enough, we tend to reject any evidence of the bamboozle. We’re no longer interested in finding out the truth. The bamboozle has captured us."

Dr. Carl Sagan, The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark

Joe Bausch

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Re: RIP "Mr. Fitz" - My link to classic golf courses.....
« Reply #1 on: May 06, 2016, 07:48:40 PM »
Thank you, Mike, for that wonderful tribute.
@jwbausch (for new photo albums)
The site for the Cobb's Creek project:  https://cobbscreek.org/
Nearly all Delaware Valley golf courses in photo albums: Bausch Collection

John Kirk

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Re: RIP "Mr. Fitz" - My link to classic golf courses.....
« Reply #2 on: May 06, 2016, 09:58:15 PM »
Nike,

Thanks for sharing.  Really nice.

Mike Sweeney

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Re: RIP "Mr. Fitz" - My link to classic golf courses.....
« Reply #3 on: May 06, 2016, 10:42:52 PM »
Thank you, Mike, for that wonderful tribute.


Oh yea, Villanova grad and season ticket holder....
"One of the saddest lessons of history is this: If we’ve been bamboozled long enough, we tend to reject any evidence of the bamboozle. We’re no longer interested in finding out the truth. The bamboozle has captured us."

Dr. Carl Sagan, The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark

BCrosby

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Re: RIP "Mr. Fitz" - My link to classic golf courses.....
« Reply #4 on: May 07, 2016, 08:45:25 AM »
Very nice, Mike. You were blessed to have him in your life.


Bob