Philip Raymond Fitzgerald

Philip Fitzgerald passed away on Monday, May 19, 2025, at Essentia Hospital in Fargo, at the age of 83.

Philip Raymond Fitzgerald was born on February 3, 1942, the son of Eugene and Helen (Lenzen) Fitzgerald in Fargo, ND. Phil grew up in Fargo where he received his education, attending Catholic elementary school and graduating from Shanley High School. Phil later attended Dakota Business College and North Dakota State University, both in Fargo.

Philip was united in marriage to Donna Mae Jensen on November 28, 1975, at Watertown, SD. They made their home in Fargo where Phil worked for over 36 years with Sweeney Brothers Tractor Company, serving as their credit manager and secretary/treasurer. After his retirement, he enjoyed working part-time at McLauglin’s RV and Marine.

Phil enjoyed training, hunting, and running his labrador retrievers in American Kennel Club “AKC” Licensed Field Trials. Phil had many labrador retrievers over the years; some good, a few bad, and one great one, Rum, who was an AKC Field Champion, Amateur Field Champion, and Martin’s Castaway. Phil and Rum competed in AKC Licensed field trials all over the United States and Canada. Rum earned nearly one hundred Open and Amateur all age points during his career. He qualified and ran in over ten National Amateur Field Trial Championships, finishing two of them. Rum and Phil’s achievements still stand strong today by an amateur owner, trained and handled retriever.

Phil was a passionate duck and goose hunter. Every weekend from late September to mid-October you would find Phil, his buddies, and his dogs hunting waterfowl in the Coteau Hills of central North Dakota. Some of Phil’s fondest memories occurred on the North Dakota Prairie. Phil’s hunting camp was known as PR’s Duck and Goose Camp. It started in Pettibone, moved to Langdon, then to Devils Lake, up to Willow City and finally Kulm, ND where he retired from hunting in 2023. In his younger years Phil was one of the finest wing shots and waterfowl hunters in North Dakota. During Phil’s later years of hunting, he quit shooting but still enjoyed watching the ducks and geese during their annual fall migration.

Philip is survived by his loving wife, Donna; his two sisters – Helen Jean Puvogel of Fargo; and Kathy Camp of Tignall, Georgia; and several nieces and nephews.

Philip was preceded in death by his parents; and his two brothers – Edward and John.

Phil’s family would like to thank Essentia Hospital for their excellent care and to Bethany Homes on University for the wonderful care he received during his rehab. Also, Thank You to special hunting partner and friend for over 30 years, Clay Whittlesey. Memorials are preferred to the American Cancer Society or to the American Heart Association.

FUNERAL MASS: 10 AM Saturday, May 24, 2025, at St. Paul’s Newman Center in Fargo – with a visitation beginning at 9 AM

PRAYER SERVICE: 6 PM Friday, May 23, 2025, at Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center in Fargo – with a visitation beginning at 5 PM