Obituary of Br. Kenneth Fitzgerald

Brother Kenneth Fitzgerald, FSC, Ph.D., a De La Salle Christian Brother for 68 years and a long-time member of the Christian Brothers’ Community at Manhattan College, died peacefully after a short illness on Wednesday, 3/4th, at De La Salle Hall, a skilled nursing facility in Lincroft, NJ, where he had been in residence since January 2015. Br. Kenneth, Associate Professor Emeritus of Mathematics and Computer Sciences, taught mathematics at Manhattan College from 1971 until his retirement from full-time teaching in 1996. During his full-time appointment at Manhattan College, Br. Kenneth resided at the Chapel Farm Community, Riverdale, NY and at Christian Brothers’ Community, both communities where he also served as religious superior. During his faculty appointment at Manhattan College, Br. Kenneth served as Department Chair of Mathematics and Computer Services, Moderator of the Irish Cultural Society [Gaelic Society] and was co-founder of the Manhattan College Bagpiper Band. After retiring from his full-time appointment in 1996, Br. Kenneth continued to teach part-time and as a volunteer tutor in mathematics at the Student Academic Support Services on campus for many more years. Prior to his appointment to Manhattan College, Br. Kenneth taught at Holy Name School and La Salle Academy, NYC. He also taught taught at St. Joseph’s Junior Novitiate, Barrytown, NY before being assigned to the Brothers’ Scholasticate at De La Salle College, Washington, DC where he earned a doctoral degree in Numerical Analysis from Catholic University of America in 1970. The wake for Br. Kenneth will be in the Community Chapel of St. Benilde, Christian Brothers Center, 4415 Post Road, Bronx, NY, on Sunday, 3/8th, 4 pm – 8 pm with a wake service at 7:30 pm. The Mass of the Resurrection will celebrated in the Chapel of De La Salle & His Brothers at Manhattan College on Monday, 3/9th, at 10 am. Preceding the funeral liturgy, there will be a viewing at the Chapel, 9:00 am – 9:45 am. Burial will follow at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Valhalla, NY. Predeceased by his parents, Beatrice [Reardon] and John Fitzgerald and 2 siblings, John Francis and Br. Cormac Augustine [William] Fitzgerald, FSC, Br. Kenneth is survived by his nieces, Ellen Fitzgerald and Joan Fitzgerald and a nephew, John Fitzgerald. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be sent to the District of Eastern North America Development Office, St. La Salle Auxiliary [ATTN: Br. William Martin, FSC] P.O. Box 238, Lincroft, NJ 07738-0238.