Alexander Gervis Fitzgerald

Well, I guess since you are reading this, it means my time is up, and I have crossed over. It has been a crazy 80 years around the sun. So, I guess I will tell you a little about myself. 

It all began on April 28, 1944. Well, actually, I later found out it was April 26, 1944, when I graced this world and my parents Willy Pat and Gladys as their favourite child in White Point, Cape Breton. It was such a glorious day that every year after that, everyone celebrates me on this day and the 27th and 28th. Well, actually, it ends up being a weeklong celebration of me. 

I am a brother to (well this could take a moment) Melvin, Ruben, Martin, Joseph, Austin, Irvey, Keith, Johnny, baby Joseph, Thomas, Calvin, Bernie, Helen, Diane, Lois, Judy, Jenny, Emmy, Kathleen, and Regis. Yes, that's right 21! 

I had quite the average childhood back in the day, where we had to walk miles to and from school in snowbanks as high as the power lines. I would walk from school for lunch and if there wasn’t molasses in the house, I would walk back to the school hungry. I was stubborn like that. I made it to grade 6 and it always amazed me how I would have to tell other people with higher education how to spell Fitzgerald. I would make sure to let them know that me with only grade 6 education had to tell them how to spell. 

In my early working years, I started out in the woods on Kelly's mountain with my father, cutting and hauling pulp. During these years, I was blessed with my son Jamie (Jenny) and my daughter Corrina (Lenoard). Over the years, I know they were the cause of my missing hair. 

Then, the construction of the highway out front of my house in Port Bevis started, and I put some side rails on my old single-axle truck and started hauling gravel. This eventually led to my pride and joy, Alex Fitzgerald Backhoe and Trucking Limited, where I spent many, years hauling gravel and operating the backhoe. 

Fast forward many years of hard work and parties later to meeting my love, Barb. We did lots of travelling all over Canada and down south where they called me big papa. We had many adventures over the last 20 years, and I don't think there is a single road in this province that we were not on. I would not change one single thing about the life we shared. 

I will always cherish my time spent with my grandchildren, Sarah (Amanda), Alexander, Thomas and Alexandria. We have a lot of camping adventures, did a lot of road trips and every year put my Parisienne and Chevelle in the Canada Day parade. 

When Barb entered my life, I gained another daughter and two sons, Erika (Blaine), Nathan and Chris (MJ) and more grandchildren Logan, Sola, Dylan (Shann), Malia and Kyla who I spent many times playing cards and watching a certain someone cheat all the time. 

I have been a long-time member of the Nova Scotia Truckers Association. Working many years with Nova Scotia Power, there aren't many places around the Cabot Trail that Jamie or I didn’t install a power pole. Speaking of the Cabot Trail, as many know I have a love of driving around it a few times a year. Here is something for you all to remember, I am a GM man and no dodge or fords are allowed to park in my yard.

Anyway, that is enough about me. I can honestly say I had a good life and enjoyed spending time with everyone I shared a laugh with. To my family and friends, I just want to let you know that anytime you laugh or see Christmas lights, I am with you. 

If you want to come and hang out, family and friends are welcome to gather at my house, 109 Port Bevis Road, Baddeck, NS, on Monday, September 9, 2024, from 6 pm to 9 pm, where you can tell stories of you guessed it, me, and have a drink and toast to my life.

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