Prominent figure in Legion and Political CIrcles, 51, Succumbs
William A. Fitzgerald, contractor and leading democrat who for years was an outstanding figure in political wars and civic affairs, died at 12:30 a.m. today in his home, 622 Eighth Avenue SW. He was 51 years old.
Mr. FItzgerald succumbed after a long illness. He underwent surgery in the winter of 1937 and was confined to St. Mary's hospital for three months. Later, he returned to his post as manager of the federal Sumner field slum clearance project in Minneapolis, but last AUgust became ill and began to fail steadily.
Born in Rochester
His death takes from Rochester one of its most colorful citizens. He was born in Rochester and educated here, and in years following the World war, in which he served overseas with the American expiditionary force, he won an outstanding position in the democratic party.
A contractor and builder who erected numerous Catholic schools and churches, the Chateau Dodge theater, the main surgical section of St. Mary's hospital and St. Mary's chapel, he was associated in business with the late Martin Heffron, former mayor of Rochester.
Long active in the American Legion and the first past commander of the WIlliam T. McCoy post to die, he was chairman of its permanent Soldiers FIeld committee and associated prominently with the development of Soldier Field.
Born here July 20, 1887, he always a Rochester resident except for his two years of service overseas with Base Hospital Unit 26 in which he served as sergeant.
When he ruturned from France, he bacame associated with Mt. Heffron and during those yersalso was active in civid affairs and politics.
Leaves Six Children
Surviving are his wife, the former Kathleen Moonan; six children, Rosemary, John, Kathleen, Patrick, Sheila, and Michael; two sisters, Mrs. Stanley Hutton and Miss Katherine of Rochester and five brothers, George and Jack of Rochester, Frank of Minneapolis, Peter of Oklahoma City, Okla., and James of Alaska.
Funeral arrangements are not definite but rites will probably will be conduct3ed in St. John's Catholic church at 9 a.m. Monday, with internment in St. John's cemetery.
Mr. Fitzgerald was commander of the American Legion post in 1922, and for years was chairman of its Soldiers Field committess. As such he led the movement to create SOldiers Field, which today is one of the outstanding athletic fields and recreation areas of the northwest.
During his term as commander, the American Legion Hospital association was organized and he was its first secretary.
Conceived Soldiers Field
In 1926 the Legion launched its Soldiers FIeld program with leasing of the ground on option from Dr. C.R. Graham. Mr. FItzgerald came forwward with a proposal that the wild region now embraced by Soldiers Field provided and ideal location for a municipal golf course. He was named chairman of a committee to negotiate acquisition of the land.
He was instrumental in selection of the site and in planning the golf course, the first nine holes of which were laid out by him and two golf professionals on a SUnday morning in 1926.
Later, the city assumed the Legion's contracts for the land and took over the area formally April 11, 1927.
When the municipal swimming pool at Soldiers Field was dedicated on July 8, 1936, Mr. Fitzgerald, one of the main speakers, said the development brought a true dream of Legionnaires, who had discussed it on street corners for ten years. Pointing to the pool, which cost $62,000, he described transformation of the slough and pasture land into an attractive recreation area.
Mr. Fitzgerald went to Washington to seek PWA aid for the project, which was only one of the developments that he and a small original group planned.
Leader in Relief Work
He was active in the dark depression days of 1932 when hundreds of unemployed created a relief problem with which agencies struggled.
He became a prime mover in Legion welfare work which centered around solicitation and preparation of food supplies and distribution of them from an old house immediately east of the Worrall hospital. The house has been razed since.
The plan, which brought relief to hundreds, won for the McCoy post a national Legioin award "for the most workable, most adaptable local program for meeting the unemployment crisis in 1932". The award brought a presentationof a trophy, now on display in the city hall, at a gathering which drew thousands to Mayo Park.
A lifelong democrat, Mr. Fitzgerald always was at the lead in that party's activities in southeastern Minnesota.
He clung to his party during the lean years when the republicans swept southeastern Minnesota repeatedly, and commanded the respect of political opponents.
Herbert C. Hanson, Olmsted county republican chairman, said today:
Loss to Community
"William FItzgerald, who has so long been active in local business, civic and political affairs, has been called to hiis eternal rest. His passing is a distinct loss to our community and my sincere sympathy goes out to his family."
He was a delegate to the democratic national conventions in 1924 and 1928 and in both years failed of election as national party committeeman for Minnesota by narrow margins. Joseph Wolf, who was elected both times, defeated him by one vote in 1924 and 1928 and in both years failed of election as national poarty committeeman for Minnesota by narrow margins. Joseph Wolf, who was elected both times, defeated him by one vote in 1924
Mr. Fitzgerald always fought for his party, and opposed trades with farmer-laborites in campaigns. At the party's 1932 state convention, he broke with the established party organization and bolted with hundreds of other democrats to form what became known as a "rump" faction of the party. The faction later captured control of the party.
Staunch Smith Supporter
A staunch supporter of AL Smith, in 1932 he went to the national convention at Chicago as a delegate of the faction. Its delegates, however, were denied seats.
He was particularly active in the 1932 gubernatorial campaign, and at the same time took a lead in organizing a Rochester branch of the association formed to fight the eighteenth amendment.
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