Francis Xavier Fitzgerald
Aug. 26, 1940-Jan. 15, 2024
Pleasanton, California
Submitted by Sandra Warren

Francis Xavier Fitzgerald was born in Rockaway Beach, NY on August 26,1940 to parents George Fitzgerald and Ellen Conlin Fitzgerald. Francis had two older brothers, George Jr, and Edward, and a younger brother Paul. All three brothers and his parents have preceded him in death. The family lived in the same house for nearly 70 years, seeing Francis commute into Manhattan every day to attend Xavier High School. He earned his BS from Fordham University.

Following graduation, Francis worked as a staff counselor at Lincoln Hall, a juvenile reform and educational campus, which is where he would meet his first wife, Patricia A. King. Ms. King was a social worker at the campus and their love blossomed there.

A couple years later they would wed in Manhattan, but move shortly to California. Francis found his first career of 25 years with Travelers in insurance and financial services. Their first son, Francis Jr. was born in New York, but their children Michael and Christine were both born in Southern California. A promotion, to run an Oakland and Walnut Creek office for Travelers, would move the family to Northern CA, to the town of Danville. Upon early retirement from Travelers, Francis pursued a life long hobby and dream of opening his own sports card and memorabilia shop, Triple Play Sports Cards in Walnut Creek. He then opened a second store in Moraga. Following the death of Patricia in July 1990, Francis met his second wife Sandra Warren at a church mixer for young widows and widowers in 1995. When they married in 1998 Francis moved to Pleasanton and opened his third shop, Pleasanton Sport Cards where he enjoyed working with young people, hosting contests and tournaments until it’s closing. Ever an entrepreneur, he managed H &R Block offices for several years before settling into retirement. Sandra and Frank loved to travel and had many wonderful adventures throughout Europe, China, and South America. Frank was a member of the Knights of Columbus at St. Augustine’s in Pleasanton.

He is survived by Sandra, his 3 children Frank, Michael, and Christine and his grandchildren Margaret and Matthew, parented by Francis Jr. and his wife Monica. He was also a doting grandfather to Sandra’s grandchildren Michael and Ben Warren, Michaela Banh and Ainsley Mellor.