Edward Dillon Fitzgibbon Sr.

Edward Fitzgibbon Sr., 84, died on May 18, 2014, at his home in Wasilla after a lengthy illness.

Edward was born Jan. 15, 1930, in Boston, Massachusetts, and was raised in a family home in Dorchester.

He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1948 and was honorably discharged in 1951. He served in the Navy in radio communications in Adak.

After his discharge from the Navy in Seattle, Washington, he met and married Clara Teppo. He moved his family to Alaska in 1956, driving up the Alaska Highway. He worked as a cab driver in Anchorage and eventually Clara and Ed bought a homestead on the corner of Fairview Loop and Edlund Road in Wasilla where they made their home.

He divorced and went back east to Boston to live for several years. He returned to Alaska on a full-time basis in 1998. Ed’s love of HAM radio made him friends around the world, and he enjoyed this hobby for many years.

Ed’s ability to write poetry got him published in local papers. He always had a quick wit and had a passion for reading. His Irish lyrics could always get a smile out of you.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Edward M. Fitzgibbon, his mother Catherine (Sullivan) Fitzgibbon of Dorchester; his brother, Donny Fitzgibbon of Massachusetts; and his son, Edward D. Fitzgibbon Jr. of Wasilla.

Surviving are his daughter, Cindy Lou Fitzgibbon Betts; his son, Michael Fitzgibbon; his daughter by marriage, Shirley Fitzgibbon-Davis; grandsons, Jerod Fitzgibbon and Monroe Fitzgibbon of Wasilla; granddaughters, Salina and Solitare Betts of Portland, Oregon; his brother, Paul Fitzgibbon of Massachusetts; and sister, Nancy Fitzgibbon of Massachusetts.

A wake will be held at 3 p.m., June 2, at his home, 4901 Vienna Woods Rd., Wasilla.

Send any memorial donations to Bishop’s Attic. He will rest at Wasilla Aurora Cemetery, Wasilla.

Valley Funeral Home, Wasilla Chapel, is caring for arrangements.