FITZPATRICK, Hugh Duggan: Passed away at Kelowna General Hospital with family by his side on Friday, January 30, 2015 at the age of 84. Predeceased by his wife of 58 years Jacqui and his sisters Marie Green of Kelowna and Glenda Doran of Powel River, survived by his sister Kay Sladen of Lake Country, daughter Sheilagh Fitzpatrick of Kelowna, son Dock (Cathy) Fitzpatrick of Kelowna, daughter Shaune (Terry) Stewart of Lake Country; grandchildren: Jordan (AJ) Wilson, Cecily Wilson, Ariane Wilson, Jonathan (Andi) Fitzpatrick, Taeya (Adrian) Boruta, Kaeli Fitzpatrick, Britney Stewart, Katelyn Stewart, Amanda (Mike) Morley; great grandchildren: Jakob and Zakary Wilson; and numerous nieces, nephews and his extended family. Hugh was born in Kelowna, BC on November 26, 1930. Hugh grew up in Rutland, attending elementary school and high school in Rutland and Grade 13 at Kelowna Secondary High School. Hugh was a Rutland native, only leaving to attend the University of British Columbia. Hugh returned to Rutland where he started a confectionary delivery business delivering supplies to convenience stores throughout the Okanagan Valley. Hugh met his soulmate Jacqui while staying in Penticton on his delivery route. They eventually married and lived the rest of their lives in Rutland and Kelowna. Hugh was a community minded man driven to helping those around him and passionate about the opportunities available in the Okanagan. Never one to sit still, Hugh was actively engaged in many public activities. He taught Sunday school at the Rutland United Church; was an active Gyro Club member for 60 years; volunteered for the Rutland May Days; coached Rutland Juvenile Soccer; volunteered as Scout Leader for the Rutland Boy Scouts; and organized the sponsorship for local figure skaters. Hugh also donated his time to many initiatives including, designing and building the Rutland Centennial Hall; designing and building the Gyro Park beach washrooms; serving ten years as Chairman of the Kelowna General Hospital; serving as director of the Kelowna YMCA; and serving as director of the Kelowna riding for the BC Social Credit party. Hugh owned and operated a building construction and design company, building many homes in Kelowna, the infrastructure buildings for the startup of Big White, and the first accommodation buildings on Big White, to name a few. Upon the death of his father in 1968, Hugh assumed the management of the McLean and Fitzpatrick fruit packing operation until 1986 when the fruit packing was discontinued. Hugh purchased the Mac & Fitz property in 1986 and converted the business into a warehouse business, still storing fruit but also storing seedling trees and SunRype juice. Hugh grew the business to include a civil construction division, contaminated soil transportation division, property management division, and a long haul transportation division operating from Vancouver to Toronto. Hugh loved his work, attending the office up to the day before he entered the hospital on December 29. Hugh touched many lives and he is sorely missed. The world was a better place with him than it is now without him. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 21, 2015 at 1:00 PM at Springfield Funeral Home, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC with Pastor Ed Weiss officiating. Should family and friends so desire, memorial donations may be made to the Kelowna General Hospital Foundation, 2268 Pandosy Street, Kelowna, BC, V1Y 1T2. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.springfieldfuneralhome.com ~ 250-860-7077.
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