John Fitzgerald, 99, of Orefield, formerly of Crestwood, Yonkers, N.Y., died Jan. 9, 2026. A native son of Ballydesmond, Co. Cork, Ireland, he was the son of the late Daniel and Mary (Joyce) Fitzgerald. He was the husband of the late Kathleen “Angela” (Gavigan) Fitzgerald for 51 years.

He proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War earning a Korean Service Medal with two Bronze Campaign Stars and was awarded the Purple Heart Medal for wounds suffered in combat. He lived “The American dream” and was a proud and grateful American citizen, but his “home” was always the farm in Ireland where he was born and raised. He was a member of St. Joseph the Worker Roman Catholic Church, Orefield.

He is survived by children, John (Laura), Kathleen (Alicia), William (Regina), Mary (Robert), Anne (Brian) Kiernan; 12 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; brothers, Eamonn, Desmond, Gerald, Donald.

He was predeceased by his son, James (Lorraine); siblings, William, Kathleen, Patrick, Niamh, Sheila.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:30 a.m. Jan. 16, at St. Joseph the Worker Roman Catholic Church, 1879 Applewood Drive, Orefield. The Rev. (Fr.) Nikolai R. Brelinsky will be the celebrant. Family and friends may pay their respects 6:30-8 p.m. Jan. 15 at the Heintzelman Funeral Home, Inc., 4906 Route 309, Schnecksville.

Online expressions of sympathy may be recorded at www.heintzelmancares.com.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph the Worker Defenders of Life, c/o the funeral home, P.O. Box 196, Schnecksville, 18078-0196.