Richard James "Dick" Fitzpatrick

Richard James “Dick” Fitzpatrick was born September 14, 1950, to John and Mary Lou Fitzpatrick. He came into this world with his twin brother Pat. Dick went to IC and Kennedy schools and graduated from Butte High in 1970. Dick started dating Danette in 1970, they were married in May of 1972. Like most Butte men, Dick was a hard worker. He first worked at his father’s Fitz’s 76 station and Staacks gas station. At age 13, he was the clean-up kid before his meat cutting apprenticeship at Excelsior Meats. He worked as a meat cutter from 1970 to 1991 at Excelsior Meats, Safeway, Pierce Packing, and Ranchland Meats. He then worked for the State of Montana Department of Livestock as a meat inspector throughout southwest Montana from 1991 until his retirement in December 2016. Without a doubt, Dick’s lifelong passion was serving his beloved community as a volunteer firefighter. He volunteered at five different fire departments beginning in 1972 and never stopped listening for the whistle or walkie talkie call. He started firefighting in the Walkerville Volunteer Fire Dept., then moved to Lost Creek where he and Jim Anderson started the Lost Creek Volunteer Fire Dept. Next, he was a volunteer at Boulevard and Big Butte Volunteer Fire Departments. His last volunteer fire fighting was with the Racetrack Volunteer Fire Department. He loved his time with RVFD. In fact, when buying a house on Grand Ave., he required that it be within 2 blocks of Racetrack. He loved being a firefighter and it took him a long time to finally physically retire. His turnouts were always ready. He brightened up when talking fires and kept in touch with many of his RVFD friends until the end. Dick was also a Scout Master for many years for Troop 15 molding many a scout and was very proud of his son earning Eagle Scout, as well as his brother Bill and nephew John James and Derek Harvey. Dick was very dedicated to the Butte community; he was an active member of Gold Hill Church and the Butte Furniture Bank. He could be counted as an annual volunteer and recruiting volunteers for the An Ri Ra and Montana Folk Festivals. Dick knew just about everyone and could be counted to help out. Dick is preceded in death by his parents John and Mary Lou Fitzpatrick; baby brother John; sisters Rose Fitzpatrick and Fran Haavisto; mother- and father-in-law Jim and Alice Harvey; sister-in- law Karen Fitzpatrick; brothers-in-law Wes Haavisto, Art James, Robert and James Harvey, Shawn Millar; nephew Ken Svejkovsky; and great nephew Justin Svejkovsky. Dick is survived by his loving wife Danette, son Brad (Monica) and grandchildren Mary Jane and Rosalie Lillyblad; surviving Fitzpatrick clan includes sisters Katie James, Mary Lou Fitzpatrick, brothers Pat (Jan) and Bob, sisters Suzie (Mike) Hall, Liz Fitzpatrick, Colleen Fitzpatrick, Joani (Ed) O’Neill, and brother Bill (Barb). Surviving Harvey family members are brothers-in-law Frank (Raeleen) Harvey and Victor Harvey. Dick is also survived by a fondly adopted sister Candace Powell (Peter Eto) and his best friend Curt (Jeanette) Quist. Dick’s nieces and nephews all of who he dearly loved: Kip Svejkovsky (Laurie), Kerry Svejkovsky (Carrie), Tag Ng; John (Missy) James, Betty James, Tara (Bill) Sweet, Artie James, Mary James, Shannon Fitzpatrick (Dan Harrington), Dan (Terra) Fitzpatrick, Wade (Shaunda) Hall, Michael Hall, Breanna Hall (Steven Dobb), John Hall, EJ (Sam) Haavisto, Melissa Haavisto (Rich Anzik), Cory (Michelle) Harvey, Derek (Kayla) Harvey, Marissa (Shaun) Villa, Kane and Konnor O’Neill (Emily Vincent), Kelly Perusich (Kallie Robbins); Keanen, Cassie and Will Fitzpatrick. Great nieces and nephews: Mandy Svejkovsky; Spenser, Claire, Elliot, Elyse Sweet; Daniel and Henry Harrington; Tresa and Kylee James; Haley Woodard, Abby Dahl, Akaya Anzik; Karter and Kensi Hall; Brody and Tyler Fitzpatrick; Josie, Nora, and Alyse Harvey; Ella, Oliver, and Maverick Haavisto. The service for Dick Fitzpatrick will be held Saturday April 13, 2024, at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church 10a.m., followed by a firetruck procession to Gold Hill Lutheran Church for a luncheon. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Butte Furniture Bank 2017 Harrison Ave. or Gold Hill Lutheran Church 934 Placer St.

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Richard James "Dick" Fitzpatrick

September 14, 1950 - March 16, 2024