52 Ancestors – 52 Weeks

The writing prompt for this week is nearly forgotten. There are two Thomas Fitzgerald’s in my family line. They both died as children.

Thomas Hugh Fitzgerald was born May 17, 1917 to John Hugh and Grace Carew Fitzgerald in the Town of Lebanon, Waupaca County, Wisconsin. He was the second child of the eight born to them. He had an older and a younger brother (my dad) at the time of his death.

On Saturday, April 29, 1917, six days before his sixth birthday, Thomas complained to his parents that he was not feeling well. The local doctor was called to the Fitzgerald home to examine him but was unable to make a definite diagnosis. The following Monday Thomas developed appendicitis and was rushed to the nearest hospital where surgery was performed on him immediately. Thomas died a few hours after the surgery on Tuesday, May 1, 1919.

A funeral service was conducted for Thomas at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Town of Lebanon, Waupaca County, Wisconsin the following Thursday. He was buried in the St. Patrick Cemetery.

Of the eight children in his family, two of Thomas’ sister survive him today.

Thomas James Fitzgerald (my paternal first cousin) was born to James Ignatius and Helen Scholl Fitzgerald on November 10, 1953. He was the second of three sons born to the couple. Thomas died of leukemia at age eight on June 22, 1962. He is buried in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Appleton, Wisconsin.

My aunt, Margie Fitzgerald Bricco told me recently that the Fitzgerald family decided it would not name another child Thomas.