Former Staffer Remembers Mike Fitzpatrick

Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick speaking to reporters.
Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com

When Mike Fitzpatrick’s Irish eyes stopped smiling — tears fell on Bucks County. But you knew that.

The former congressman died in God’s good Grace on Jan. 6 in the wee hours of the morning, with his loving family at his side. At 56, he succumbed to cancer.

The funeral, the visitation with an amazing throng of mourners at his parish church, Queen of the Universe in Levittown, and the ultimate tribute to Congressman Fitzpatrick when Washington Crossing National Cemetery became the final resting place for this non-veteran — will long be remembered.

Most Bucks Countians now know that without Mike Fitzpatrick’s patriotic fervor for our nation and the veterans of all wars, and his ability to lead, persuade and accomplish, the national cemetery would have been elsewhere in Pennsylvania.

A 2006 photo of Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick and then-Veterans Affairs Secretary James Nicholson at the future site of the veterans cemetery in Upper Makefield.

The rolling site in Upper Makefield’s highlands is considered hallowed ground where Revolutionary War soldiers once rested, some dying there before the Battle of Trenton. That piece of history was seared in the heart and mind of Mike Fitzpatrick, the 8th district congressman at that time.

But there were so many facets to this “mover and shaker.” He was Mike, a kid who grew up in Levittown and lived to raise his family in the safe and free environs of his beloved community. He was an Eagle Scout, outdoorsman, loved to sail, smoke a cigar, watch a game, read a book, listen to music, especially those famously sad Irish songs.

And once he was a Mummer. Indeed, the teenaged Mike Fitzpatrick was an enthusiastic member of the former Greater Bucks String Band, recalled his dad, Jim.

Mike Fitzpatrick playing in the string band.
Credit: Family photo

When you think Mummer, you might not conjure up the image of a serious, dedicated public servant, a congressman. Instead we go right to the New Year’s Day celebration, a colorful, noisy event, a street party with loud music, strings and saxaphones, and strutting, marching, grown-ups in glittery get-ups, fancy feathers.

So it was a few years back … but the congressman remained enthusiastic about the great tradition of the annual parade, as much as Levittown’s St. Patrick’s Day parade. All fun, all community.

You might wonder, if the old sax was still there and a string band needed some added wind would he have signed up? Maybe. After all, the busy Mike Fitzpatrick was a volunteer at the ready; a contributor to the end, go where needed.

But, he’s marched on. To say he will be missed is an understatement.

Pat Wandling, a contributor to LevittownNow, is the host of Speak Your Piece, a daily talk show on WBCB-AM 1490- Mon. thru Fri. 12:10 to 1 p.m. And friend and former staffer – Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick.

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