Grey Fitzpatrick

Grey Fitzpatrick of 111 Virginia St. Olean, NY, former editor and publisher of the Olean Times Herald, died Thursday (Nov. 13, 2008) at the Absolut of Allegany following an illness. Born Jan. 30, 1922, in Fort Totten, Long Island, he was a son of E. Boyd and Marjorie Grey Fitzpatrick. On June 6, 1948, in Shrewsbury, N.J., he married the former Jean Potter McEwen, formerly of Wellsville, who passed away Feb. 3, 2004. Mr. Fitzpatrick was a 1940 graduate of Olean High School and graduated with a bachelor of science degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1944. He served with the Army from 1944 to 1950 with the rank of captain and in 1947 attended the Advanced Officers Signal School at Fort Monmouth, N.J., for a year. He then became an instructor in the basic electronics section of the Anti-Aircraft and Guided Missiles branch of the Artillery School at Fort Bliss, Texas. Mr. Fitzpatrick joined the staff of the Times Herald in January 1950 and had served in various capacities including business manager, general manager, editor and assistant to the publisher, executive vice president and in 1988, he retired as editor and publisher. In 1968, he was elected president of the New York Associated Dailies. Mr. Fitzpatrick was a member and former vestryman of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Olean. Involved in community leadership activities for nearly four decades, he was a past president of the Olean Exchange Club, the New York State District Exchange Clubs, was a former chairman of the Public Relations Committee of the National Exchange Club and a member of its Planning and Development Committee, and in 1981, he was awarded the "Exchangite of the Year" award. He was also past president of the Olean Area Chamber of Commerce, Olean Rotary Club, the Olean YMCA, Wing Hollow Ski Club and was a former director of the Community Chest. He was past president of the Cattaraugus County Mental Health Association for two years and had served as director and a member of its finance committee. In 1966, Mr. Fitzpatrick was elected president of the Route 17 Association, served as the first chairman of the Olean Housing Authority from 1969 to 1970 and was former Central District Director of the Seneca Council, Boy Scouts of America. He served as Olean Civil Defense director for three years and in 1953 was appointed deputy director for the Buffalo Area Civil Defense Organization. He was also a member of the New York State Per Capita Aid Commission for three years. Mr. Fitzpatrick was instrumental in the founding of the Friends of Bonaventure Fund Drive in 1969, had served as co-chairman in 1977 and 1978 and had served on the St. Bonaventure University Advisory Council. Since 1985, Mr. Fitzpatrick was a member of the board of directors of the Olean General Hospital, was appointed director on the board of the Jamestown Community College Foundation in 1987 and served as chairman of the Cattaraugus County Advisory Council of the American Lung Association of Western New York. He was also a member of the Board of the American Lung Association of Western New York as well as the Olean City Club and the Bartlett Country Club. Surviving are four sons, William B. (Lynn) Fitzpatrick of Olean, Michael G. (Chris) Fitzpatrick of Richmond VA., Dr. James M. (Barbara) Fitzpatrick of Amherst, and John R. (Tabitha) Fitzpatrick of Hinsdale; nine grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; a sister, Jean F. Henzel of Olean; and several nieces and nephews. Mr. Fitzpatrick was pre-deceased by his wife and triplet great grandchildren. Friends will be received Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home Inc., 646 E. State St., Olean. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday (Nov. 18, 2008) at 11 a.m. in St. Mary of the Angels Church, with Father Gregory J. Dobson, pastor, as celebrant. Burial will be in Mount View Cemetery, Olean. In lieu of flowers memorials may made to St. Mary of the Angels Church 202 South Union Street, Olean, N.Y. 14760 or to the Olean General Hospital Foundation 515 Main St., Olean, N.Y. 14760 or to the SPCA Rt. 16, Olean, N.Y. 14760.