The Twin Cities has lost a giant. Tim Fitzgerald was one of the most valued and respected members of the Irish community not just here in town but all over America and even in Ireland itself. People knew him everywhere and loved him for his humor, his talent as a singer and piper, his selfless sacrifice for the good of the community, and the can-do spirit that few will be able to replicate.
Fitz was always there to help; his many years at Kieran’s Pub in Minneapolis put him at the center of the goings-on in the Twin Cities Irish scene. If you needed a gig he’d give you one. If you needed help moving furniture he’d bring his truck. If you needed a bagpiper at a wedding or a funeral, your first call was to Fitz.
His are giant shoes to fill, in so many ways. He was so jolly and giving and kind. He was always there to help WCB, and for that we are eternally grateful. It was always amazing to think that a man of his standing in the community, this high profile, popular figure, would always give his time to help us. Who were we? Nobodies, and yet he was always there to help us along.
Thank you Fitz! We will miss you dearly. Heaven is certainly a happy place right now, for you are there singing “the Old Triangle” and “the Parting Glass” and of course your showpiece, “Isn’t it Grand Boys”. It’s grand indeed, Fitz. And so are you.
“Look at the coffin, with golden handles
Isn’t it grand, boys, to be bloody-well dead?
Let’s not have a sniffle, let’s have a bloody-good cry
And always remember: The longer you live
The sooner you’ll bloody-well die
Look at the flowers, all bloody withered
Isn’t it grand, boys, to be bloody-well dead?
Let’s not have a sniffle, let’s have a bloody-good cry
And always remember: The longer you live
The sooner you’ll bloody-well die
Look at the mourners, bloody-great hypocrites
Isn’t it grand, boys, to be bloody-well dead?
Let’s not have a sniffle, let’s have a bloody-good cry
And always remember: The longer you live
The sooner you’ll bloody-well die
Look at the preacher, a bloody-nice fellow
Isn’t it grand, boys, to be bloody-well dead?
Let’s not have a sniffle, let’s have a bloody-good cry
And always remember: The longer you live
The sooner you’ll bloody-well die
Look at the widow, bloody-great female
Isn’t it grand, boys, to be bloody-well dead?
Let’s not have a sniffle, let’s have a bloody-good cry
And always remember: The longer you live
The sooner you’ll bloody-well die”
