John J. Fitzgerald, 84, passed away unexpectedly at Geisinger CMC Hospital in Scranton on February 11, 2026.

He was born June 10th, 1941 in the Bronx Borough of New York City to John and Helen (Curtin) Fitzgerald.

Jack, as he was better known, at an early age became the manager of one of the NYU Bookstores in the Greenwich Village area of New York and attended New York University. From there he moved on to working for Smith, Corona, Marchant in the sale of mechanical calculators and then on to Philips Business Systems, carrying 30-pound machines on the streets of Manhattan.

Jack was known for his physical fitness and worked for the European Health Clubs for several years, but yearning for the outdoors was employed as a Sears Warehouse dock worker, waiting for a promised call from New Jersey Bell, which he received and moved to his final occupation in the telephone company as a very successful commercial sales representative.

He retired from Verizon and in 1998 moved from Nutley, NJ to his home in Damascus, PA, where he enjoyed the peace, tranquility, and beauty of his new home and surroundings. This was his dream come true.

He came out of retirement to work with his wife, Mary in the real estate business for ten (years) at RE/MAX Wayne in Honesdale before eventually retiring as his health began to fail.

His love of reading was evident in the hundreds of books in his home. The onset of macular degeneration put a damper on his ability to hold and read more books to the extent he desired.

Also, his love and respect for our veterans, history as a whole, the Constitution and the NRA were clearly voiced as he supported them all.

He is survived by his loving wife of 23 years Mary Diehl Rutledge Fitzgerald; step children: David M. Rutledge (Amie Lovejoy) of Honesdale, PA; Daniel E. Rutledge (Jennifer) of Tyler Hill, PA; Scott A. Rutledge (Angela) of Tyler Hill; and Julie A. Rutledge of Honesdale; nieces and nephews, children of his beloved sister, Eileen: Kevin Huff (Lisa), of Eastport, NY; Steven Huff (Christine) of West Islip, NY; Susan Masera (Ron) of Eastport, NY, Victoria Huff (Dennis Duswalt) of Eastport, NY and nieces-in-law Teresa Huff of Eastport, NY and Cynthia Huff of Parkland, FL, as well as sisters-in-law Elaine DeMars of Montclair, NJ, Lois McKaig of Binghamton, NY, Sylvia Young of Puyallup, WA, Judith Diehl of Tyler Hill, PA and Martha and Ron Canfield of Spring Hill, FL and special nephews Gerald Borris (Sonja) of Ringwood, NJ and Stuart Sanders of Clearwater, FL. He also is survived by step-grandchildren Corey Rutledge (Becky), Jonathan Rutledge, Alec Rutledge, Daniel J. Rutledge (Amy), Brooke Rutledge and fiance’ Justin LoBasso, Brianna Smith and partner Justin Keller, Chase Rutledge, Sharrie Kraft, Katlyn Lutchko and step-great grandchildren Ryder Rutledge, Kinsley Rutledge, Kailey Rutledge and Grayson Rutledge.

He was pre-deceased by his devoted sister, Eileen M. Huff, and brother-in-law Elliot M. Huff, Jr., his first wife Antoinette (Dyle) Fitzgerald, nephews Keith Huff and Scott Huff and grand-niece Kimberly Huff, as well as sisters and brothers-in-law John C. Diehl, Alan McKaig, Edward Dyle, Emmelia and Bernard Borris, Veronica Kempees, Louise Wilmot and beloved niece Bernice Marshall.

The family would like to express sincere gratitude to Bethany Village Senior Living Community for their dedication and kindness not only to Jack but also to his family. We deeply appreciate how he was treated with dignity and respect during his brief time there.

Funeral services will be held February 21, 2026 at noon at the Damascus Manor United Methodist Church at 1720 Cochecton Tpke, Damascus, PA 18415 with Pastor Megan Wessman officiating. Friends may visit prior to the service from 10am until noon.

In lieu of flowers, monetary contributions may be made in his honor to: Wounded Warriors Project, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Damascus Volunteer Ambulance Corps. or Damascus Manor UM Church.