Michael J. Fitzsimons

Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, and friend passed away on Tuesday, August 22, 2023, at Ascension St Mary’s in Saginaw at 72 years old. Michael Joseph Fitzsimons was born on January 19, 1951, in Grand Rapids, Michigan to the late Louis and Lorna (Pease) Fitzsimons. Mike graduated from West Catholic High School in 1969. He was Freddie the Falcon school mascot at many games and activities. Right out of high school, he joined the Navy and proudly served his country during the Vietnam War until 1973. He then used the GI Bill to complete his college education and attended Grand Rapids Junior College and went on to graduate from Ferris State University in 1978 with a Criminal Justice degree. He worked for several law enforcement agencies and then started his career with Saginaw County Sheriff’s Department in 1983. He went up the ranks and retired as a Sergeant in September 2008. The most important things in his life were his wife, children, and grandchildren. He supported them in everything they were interested in. He loved watching Charles play sports, watching cartoons with Lucas and snuggling with Marcus. And that included sports activities and he became the “Voice of the Blue Jays” at Holy Cross for all basketball seasons that both kids were involved in. During football season, he cheered on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. He was not one to just sit around the house (his wife would not let him do that!) and he started volunteering in 2012 at Hopevale Church answering phones and greeting staff and visitors with a smile and/or encouraging word. He always said he had the face for answering phones! He was married to Virginia (Ginny) Ann (Borkholder) Fitzsimons on July 18, 1981, and she survives him. Mike is also survived by his children, John Michael Fitzsimons and Tracy Ann (Andrew) Schiefer along with his beloved grandsons, Charles, Lucas, and Marcus. He is also survived by his sisters and brothers-in-law, Kathleen (Donn) Miller, Jane Vitunskas, and Anne (Daniel) Walker, along with his sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Linda (Dale) Grant and Joyce Lent. He also is survived by nieces, nephews, two special long-time friends, John Mitus and Chuck Strejnowski along with additional friends that were special to him. Mike was predeceased by his parents and “nut-twin” sister, Nancy L Fitzsimons, his parents-in-law, Lloyd and Viola Borkholder, and his brother-in-law, Andrew Lent. The Celebration of Mike’s Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 29, 2023, at Hopevale Church, 4873 N. Center Rd., Saginaw, MI. Pastor Daniel Davis will officiate where military honors will be conducted under the auspices of the US Navy and the American Legion Post 439. Friends are welcome to visit with the family at Hopevale Church, 4873 N. Center Rd., Saginaw, on Monday, August 28, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., then on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Memorials may be given to Hopevale Church. Memories and sympathies of Mike may be shared with the family on his memorial website at WakemanFuneralHome.com Michael's funeral service will be available to view online at https://hopevale.online.church/?fbclid=IwAR0tF0o5SBO6ue44yssp9wuBdS5lOJobQCDnqW3Y_8ZLaPmKvwkXmayWjJE

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Michael J. Fitzsimons

January 19, 1951 - August 22, 2023