Rodric E. "Fitz" Fitzgerald. At right: With best friend Tracy'e Nappee' Hall at an S.A. LGBT Chamber of Commerce event. (Photos by QSanAntonio.)

Obituary: LGBT Chamber board member Rodric E. "Fitz" Fitzgerald
QSanAntonio.com, August 2, 2011

Rodric Everett Bernard Fitzgerald died on July 31, 2011, after a battle with cancer. He was 45 years of age.

Fitzgerald, known to his friends as Fitz, was one of the founding members of the San Antonio LGBT Chamber of Commerce where he served on the board of directors and chaired the Media Relations and Marketing Committee.

Born in Houston, Texas, on August 14, 1965, Fitzgerald was the son of Reuben Everett and Jacqulyn Marie (Daniel) Fitzgerald. He is preceded in death by his mother and stepfather Jim Bingham.

He is survived by his grandmother Helen Washington, his father and stepmother Rueben and Delores Fitzgerald, seven siblings, ten best friends, a former life partner and numerous nieces, nephews, colleagues and associates.

Fitzgerald served in the U.S. Air Force and was based in San Antonio at the time of his discharge. In a conversation with QSanAntonio a couple of years ago, he said he liked the city so much that he decided to make it home.

After his discharge, Fitzgerald attended the the University of Texas at San Antonio where earned a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology in 1996 and went on to get a Masters of Public Administration.

Fitzgerald started the Cobalt Consulting Group, where he dedicated countless hours helping prospective homeowners find affordable home financing. In 2001 he was appointed by the mayor of San Antonio to the board of directors of the Housing Trust Fund where he served multiple two-year terms.

Within our community, Fitzgerald was best known for his affiliation and work with the LGBT Chamber of Commerce.

"During my two years as the Chamber's first president, Fitz was my 'go-to' board member, when I needed something done and done efficiently," says Darrell Parsons. "Fitz helped make my job so much easier, because he was always there when I needed him and he did whatever needed to be done, without reservation."

Parsons adds that many people probably don't know that the Chamber's alliance with the San Antonio Convention and Visitor's Bureau was due in large part to Fitzgerald's efforts. "He arranged a meeting with him, myself and the decision makers at the CVB. Today, San Antonio has an LGBT visitor's page on the CVB website, all thanks to Fitz."

DeeDee Belmares, the Chamber's current president, says, "Fitz was extremely passionate about LGBT businesses and professionals and helping to move the Chamber forward for our community. He was always more than willing to volunteer at events and did it with a smile. I am grateful to have had the time to serve with him."

Prior to his death, Fitzgerald penned a personal statement to be distributed at his funeral. It reads in part:

"My final wish to all who know me is: Live each day fully as if it were your last; do good work that you love and the rewards will come; love as if your heart has never been broken; laugh as much as you can -- it's the best medicine on earth next to prayer and meditation; and finally, have some fun every day, no matter what it is, and never let your inner child die -- it is the essence of who you are!"

Visitation is scheduled for Friday, August 5 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Lewis Mortuary, 811 South W.W. White Road. The funeral service is Saturday, August 6 at 11 a.m.