NOKOMIS, Fla. – J. Edward Fitzgerald Jr., 71, of 15 Lake St., Rangeley, died March 29, after a brief illness, at his winter home in Nokomis, Fla.

He was born in Attleboro, Mass., Sept. 1, 1936, the son of the late Joseph E. and Mildred Fitzgerald of Norton, Mass.

Upon moving from Massachusetts, to the Rangeley Lakes Region in 1970, he and his wife established Fitzy’s Donut Shop, which they operated until retirement in 2002.

“Fitzy” loved to make donuts and he so enjoyed meeting his customers from all walks of life and from all over the world. He loved hunting, camping, hiking and the great outdoors.

A great history buff, he participated in many re-enactments during the American Bicentennial years, including Benedict Arnold’s March to Quebec, the Penobscot Expedition in Castine, and the Battle of Yorktown, Va.

He was a life member of the National Rifle Association. In Rangeley he, at one time, served as selectman, park commissioner and volunteered and/or belonged to many local clubs and organizations. He was a communicant of St. Luke’s Catholic Church, Our Lady of the Lake’s Parish, Oquossoc.

Survivors include his wife of 45 years, Suzanne; sons, John and family of Concord, Mass., Michael and family of Scarborough and Daniel and family of Hillsborough, N.H.; five grandchildren; and sisters, Dorothy Inman of Nokomis, Fla., and Barbara Dowdall of Attleboro, Mass.