Bryan Fitzpatrick, 35,
Beloved Son, Brother and Friend
Bryan Fitzpatrick, 35, a Westfield and Hoboken resident, passed away on Friday, September 20, 2024. Bryan’s journey through life was marked by resilience, love and a deep connection to those around him. Over the last two years, he faced significant medical challenges with extraordinary strength and grace. “He has fought the good fight. He has finished the race. He has kept the faith.”
Bryan is survived by his parents, Patti and Kevin; sissy, Meaghan; fur-brother Golden Retriever Teddy, along with his aunts, uncles, cousins and dear friends. We will smile and hold him close to us…. Forever in our Hearts!
Born on May 23, 1989, to his parents, Patricia and Kevin Fitzpatrick, Bryan and his older sister, Meaghan, grew up in Edison, New Jersey, where he attended grade school through 1998. The Fitzpatrick family moved to Westfield, where Bryan attended Franklin, Roosevelt and Westfield High School.
Bryan (Bry, B-Ryan, Buddy to those who love him) spent his grade school years being a diligent student while also building elaborate Lego sets, watching cartoons, playing video games with his friends while also inheriting an interest in sports loved by his Fitzpatrick family. Bryan’s years at Westfield High School were spent developing an interest in history and technology thanks to his innate curiosity and encouragement from a few favorite teachers.
A graduate of Fordham University Class of 2012, Bryan completed his master’s degree at Rutgers University before beginning his professional career in technology at JPMorgan Chase and FreeWheel, a Comcast advertising and technology company in New York City. Prior to becoming a resident of Hoboken, Bryan spent many years living on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, where he enjoyed frequenting diners to find the best waffle, embarking on adventurous strolls throughout New York City and spotting his favorite dogs in Riverside Park.
Bryan was a fan of many things: watching baseball (a lifelong Mets fan, he found solace in other franchises, including the Minnesota Twins and Boston Red Sox); traveling to see friends and family (which often included being dragged by his big sister to TV show filming locations); attending trivia with his friends from work; sending pictures of dogs or memes on Instagram; building computers; and the comedic stylings of Weird Al, George Carlin and Larry David. You could often find him laughing about something that came to mind or that he found on his phone. His friendships were deep and lasting and buoyed him during trying times. Born with a liver disease, Bryan spent years in treatment at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Mount Sinai in New York City with an incredible medical team. Described by his doctors as the absolute definition of “stoic,” he never wavered when it came to his health battles — he took each and every challenge head on; his self-advocacy and bravery will be a “Forever” inspiration to all who knew and loved him.
Bryan was predeceased by his grandparents, Dorothy and Vincent Fitzpatrick (of Staten Island, New York) and John and Dolores Krasulski (of Alden, Pennsylvania), and his loyal Golden Retriever companion, Shadow. So long, partner — we will miss you to Infinity and Beyond!
Visitation was held at Higgins and Bonner Echo Lake Funeral Home in Westfield. On Friday, September 27, 2024, a Mass of the Resurrection was held at St. Bartholomew the Apostle Roman Catholic Church in Scotch Plains, followed by interment at Fairview Cemetery in Westfield.
The Bryan Fitzpatrick Biliary Atresia Hope for Families Fund has been established at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia to provide financial assistance to families in need while caring for sick children and family members. The Fitzpatrick family extends their heartfelt thanks and appreciation to those who contribute to this cause in memory of Bryan.
December 19, 2024
