Michael Joseph Fitzgibbon, 88, retired Lowell Fire Department Deputy Chief and longtime Lowell resident passed away peacefully at Palm Center in Chelmsford on Sunday, December 21. He was the beloved husband of Kathleen (Hanrahan) Fitzgibbon, with whom he shared the past 37 years of marriage.
He was born on January 26, 1937 in Cambridge and was a son of the late John Fitzgibbon and the late Amelia (Monahan) Fitzgibbon. He was a graduate of Howe High School Class with the Class of 1954, went on to attend college at Northeastern University earning an associates degree.
He served his country in the United States Navy for a period of 2 years before his honorable discharge.
In the early 1970's he began a career as both a police officer in Chelmsford and a firefighter in Lowell, after about 6 months he decided tp pursue a career in the Lowell Fire Department exclusively. He was a firefighter for 20 years, retiring in 1991 as Deputy Chief.
He was a lifelong member of the Lowell YMCA and was also a gifted woodworker. He crafted countless world class, meticulously crafted dolllhouses over the years. He could make or fix almost anything. He loved to gamble, especially at Foxwoods in Connecticut but he also took pride in his property at home and maintaining it.
Besides his wife, Kathleen, he is survived by his 2 daughters, Kathy Foss and Linda Larrabee, both of Amesbury, his grandchidren, Aimee, Danielle, Michelle, Alaina, Joseph and Lauren. His stepson Adam Lachapelle of Chelmsford and 6 great grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his brother the late Ernest Fitzgibbon and his sister the late Barbara Kullgren.
Family and friends are welcome to attend his visitation and funeral service on Saturday, December 27, 2025 from 10 am until 12 pm at the McDonough Funeral Home, 14 Highland Street, Lowell, MA 01852. His funeral service will follow at 12 pm at the funeral home and will conclude with a procession for burial and military honors at St. Mary Cemetery in Tewksbury.
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