Edward M. Fitzgerald, 88, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 5, 2013 at Hartford Hospital. He is survived by Katherine E. Fitzgerald, his wife of 65 years. Ed was the son of Michael and Jennie (Donze) Fitzgerald who pre-deceased him. Ed was born and raised in Manchester, CT where he attended St. James School and Manchester High School. He is survived by his two sons, Thomas (Joanne) of Pittsford, NY and Edward (Alice Marie) of Wethersfield CT, with whom he made his home. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Katie (Peter) Oleksyn (and great grandchildren Maddie and Jack), Maureen, Eddie Jr., Sheila, Maggie and Thomas. In addition, Ed was pre-deceased by his brothers Joseph (Mary) Fitzgerald, who was lost in action on D-Day, and John (Henrietta) Fitzgerald. He is survived by his brothers, Richard Fitzgerald and Robert Fitzgerald and his sister Jeanne (Howard) Lappen. He had numerous nieces and nephews and had special affection for Mary Turbert, the daughter of his brother Joseph. Ed was a decorated WWII veteran, served in Europe and landed with the second wave on Utah Beach during D-Day. He was subsequently twice wounded in action in Normandy and again in the Hürtgen Forest campaigns on the Belgian and French border. For his service, he was awarded two Bronze Stars and Two Purple Hearts and was honorably discharged. Ed retired from the State of Connecticut where he was a Director of IT at UConn. Prior to that, he operated the Fitzgerald Funeral Home in Manchester and was employed for many years by the Traveler's Insurance Co. Ed was involved in a number of community and sporting activities in Manchester, including coaching Little League Baseball and youth Basketball. He was a lifetime member of the Elks, the Irish American Home Society and the local V.F.W. He served as the Clerk of the Eighth Utilities District in Manchester. His funeral service will be celebrated at 11am at the Church of the Assumption on Adams Street in Manchester, followed by burial at St. Patrick's Cemetery in Enfield. Friends may call at the John F. Tierney Funeral Home located at 219 West Center Street, Manchester, CT on Sunday from 2-6 pm. The family would like to thank Hartford Hospital for the excellent care and compassion they provided. In lieu of flowers, the family would request that a donation be made to East Catholic High School, 115 New State Road, Manchester, in Ed's name. For online condolences please visit www.tierneyfuneralhome.com.