Robert Fitzgerald

Milford – On December 15, 2018 Robert Benjamin Fitzgerald went home to be with the Lord.

He was born on June 8, 1930 in Milford, Delaware to the late Huriah Thomas Fitzgerald and Sallie (Kirby) Fitzgerald.

Robert was married to June (Clogg) Clendaniel in 1950 until 1967. During their marriage, Robert “Boyd” Fitzgerald and Kelly Fitzgerald were born.

Robert then married Barbara (Clendaniel) Fitzgerald from 1977 until 1995. During their marriage, Robert adopted Jeffrey Semans. He and Barbara also gave birth to Meghan Fitzgerald and Kirby Fitzgerald.

Robert was an award winning farmer from 1948 until his retirement in 1996. He was one of the first farmers to incorporate the use of irrigation in Delaware which resulted in him winning several Lima Bean and Corn yield contests. In addition to farming, Robert owned and operated Delaware Pulpwood Company from 1965 until 2010. The company helped clear tracts of timber across Delmarva for the production of paper through the Glatfelter Pulp Wood Company.

Robert had a passion for traveling, listening to live music and gambling. He visited every continent except for Antarctica in his travels.  He was a member of the Temple No. 9 Masonic Lodge and the Elks Lodge in Milford, Delaware. Robert’s guiding principles throughout his life were to be honest, fair and decent to all people. He valued his work ethic as much as he valued the work that others did for him.

Robert was the youngest of five children. His brothers were John Townsend Fitzgerald and Huriah “Huey” Thomas Fitzgerald II. His sisters were Hazel Swain and Gladys Berwick.

He has left behind three sons in Robert “Boyd” Fitzgerald, Jeffrey Semans, and Kirby Fitzgerald; one daughter in Meghan Fitzgerald; five grandchildren in Rhiannon Lorah, Morgan Lorah, Jarek Lugo, Siara Lugo and Addison Fitzgerald. He was preceded in death by his mother, father, brothers, sisters and his daughter, Kelly Fitzgerald.

The family will receive visitors at Rogers Funeral Home, 301 Lakeview Ave, Milford, starting at 10AM, Saturday 12/22, with a funeral service at 11AM. Burial is Lincoln Cemetery.