Paul Fitzgerald, 89 of Dubuque, passed away peacefully on October 20, 2026 at Stonehill Care Center. Paul was born in Dubuque on May 6, 1937. He was the son of Vincent and Mary (O’Malley) Fitzgerald. Family and friends will celebrate the memory of his life at Resurrection Catholic Church on Saturday, October 24 at 11a.m., where a visitation will be from 9:00 a.m., to 10:45 a.m. To view the livestream of the funeral please visit www.egelhofsiegertcasper.com. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. The Egelhof, Siegert & Casper Funeral Home and Crematory, 2659 JFK Road is entrusted with the arrangements.

Paul and his brother Bob grew up in Dubuque and attended Loras Academy. Paul graduated from Loras College and then earned a Master’s degree from Drake University and a PH.D. from the University of Iowa, where he met his wife, Mary. 

Paul and Mary (Hornung) Fitzgerald were united in marriage at St. Patrick’s Church in Burlington, Iowa on August 17, 1968. This began 54 years of happiness together.

Paul was a Professor of Education at a number of colleges in Iowa and Wisconsin. He also served as both an elementary and a secondary principal during his career. Paul truly enjoyed working with students, teachers and the community and loved his career in education. In 2001 he was awarded the Loras College Distinguished Alumni Award for Professional Achievements for his many contributions to the field of education.

Paul had a love for sports that continued throughout his life. He grew up playing tennis on the courts at Senior High School and became City Champion during high school. Later he started coaching youth basketball with friend and fellow educator, Charlie Ellis. The AAU teams they coached advanced from state to national tournaments in Orlando, Seattle and Las Vegas. It became family-fun time traveling to these tournaments and lasting memories were made by all.

Paul and Mary loved to travel with members of their card club. Mary spent many enjoyable hours planning the trips to locales all over the world including Ireland, China and Africa.

Paul was a devoted son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, cousin and friend. He valued the people in his life and was dedicated to their welfare.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Vincent and Mary Fitzgerald, his loving wife of 54 years, Mary, his brother Robert Fitzgerald, In-laws Harold and Helen Hornung, brother-in-law, Ronald Koechell and aunt and uncle Rita and Hank Selle as well as several close friends.

Those left to cherish his memory include his children:  Cristin Fitzgerald (Ankeny, IA), Mike Fitzgerald (Oklahoma City, OK), and Matt Fitzgerald (Omaha, NE); his grandchildren: Madelyn Day, Ethan Day, and Samantha Fitzgerald, sister-in-law Christine Koechell (Oshkosh, WI), and cousins Tom and Jane Lander (St. Mary’s, PA).

The family would especially like to thank all the friends and family who visited Paul at Stonehill Care Center, and the staff who cared for him. All your thoughts, prayers and visits were greatly appreciated.