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Published by www.EPlusPromotes.com www.TheCatoctinBanner.com The Catoctin Banner Newspaper April 2016 Page 13
When Irish Eyes Are Crying
James Rada, Jr.
In early March of this year, Mike place for weekend dances. (Wastler), and nine children: Donna
Fitzgerald’s children performed a sad On the bar side, Mike raised (and TJ) Demmon of Thurmont;
duty in honor of their father: they the price of beers to encourage the Dennis (and Dianne) Fitzgerald of
made his casket from standing dead troublemakers, who used to come to Huntsville, AL; Dawn (and Donald)
trees that Mike had harvested years the dance hall for cheap beer, to go Knox of Taneytown; Diane (and
earlier. drink elsewhere. David) Stottlemyer of Thurmont;
Donald “Mike” Fitzgerald passed The Shamrock was a family Debra Oster of Thurmont; Daniel
away on February 28, 2016, in the business. Mike, his wife Doris Jane, (and Heather) Fitzgerald of
log home that he built himself. He his mother, and his nine children (as Emmitsburg; David (and Bonny)
was eighty-five years old. they grew old enough), all worked Fitzgerald of Emmitsburg; Darrell
The Shamrock Restaurant, which in the restaurant. Fitzgerald of Frederick; and Dean
Mike opened in 1963, closed for a Mike had been a machinist with (and Cecilia) Fitzgerald of Frederick.
few days when it was learned that Moore Business Systems, but he had He also has seventeen grandchildren
Mike had died. It reopened a week advanced as far as he could without and twelve great-grandchildren who
later, and now stands as a legacy moving out of state. He had grown will all remember him.
for Mike’s hard work and love of up in a restaurant family, though. The Town of Thurmont owes
family. His parents had owned Fitzgerald’s him a debt for helping establish the
About Shamrock Restaurant in in Emmitsburg until his father died Thurmont Community Park and
a 2014 interview, Mike Fitzgerald in 1940. Mike and Doris Jane had donating it to the town while he was
said, “There were days and nights decided that they could open a new president of the Thurmont Jaycees.
in a row that I wouldn’t go home. restaurant and make it successful. He also helped in the creation of
I would be working here doing The Shamrock was the first Catoctin Colorfest, which allows
whatever needed to be done and restaurant in Frederick County to many non-profit organizations in
then I would sleep here.” get a liquor license in 1965. town to raise a lot of money each
The Shamrock was created out The restaurant also won a year. He was the charter president of
of an old dance hall. The walls were national award years ago for having the Thurmont Colt’s Corral Chapter
stripped and redone, turning the the best St. Patrick’s Day party in 12. Fitzgerald and his friend, Vernon
dance hall side of the building into the nation. Myers, also launched the Catoctin
the dining room. Only two rows of Mike’s living legacy, however, Youth Association.
tables had tablecloths, originally, is his family. He is survived by his He was interred in St. Anthony’s
and a smaller dance floor was left in wife of sixty-eight years, Doris Jane Catholic Church Cemetery.
Send us Your Good News to Share in The Catoctin Banner !
When Irish Eyes Are Crying
James Rada, Jr.
In early March of this year, Mike place for weekend dances. (Wastler), and nine children: Donna
Fitzgerald’s children performed a sad On the bar side, Mike raised (and TJ) Demmon of Thurmont;
duty in honor of their father: they the price of beers to encourage the Dennis (and Dianne) Fitzgerald of
made his casket from standing dead troublemakers, who used to come to Huntsville, AL; Dawn (and Donald)
trees that Mike had harvested years the dance hall for cheap beer, to go Knox of Taneytown; Diane (and
earlier. drink elsewhere. David) Stottlemyer of Thurmont;
Donald “Mike” Fitzgerald passed The Shamrock was a family Debra Oster of Thurmont; Daniel
away on February 28, 2016, in the business. Mike, his wife Doris Jane, (and Heather) Fitzgerald of
log home that he built himself. He his mother, and his nine children (as Emmitsburg; David (and Bonny)
was eighty-five years old. they grew old enough), all worked Fitzgerald of Emmitsburg; Darrell
The Shamrock Restaurant, which in the restaurant. Fitzgerald of Frederick; and Dean
Mike opened in 1963, closed for a Mike had been a machinist with (and Cecilia) Fitzgerald of Frederick.
few days when it was learned that Moore Business Systems, but he had He also has seventeen grandchildren
Mike had died. It reopened a week advanced as far as he could without and twelve great-grandchildren who
later, and now stands as a legacy moving out of state. He had grown will all remember him.
for Mike’s hard work and love of up in a restaurant family, though. The Town of Thurmont owes
family. His parents had owned Fitzgerald’s him a debt for helping establish the
About Shamrock Restaurant in in Emmitsburg until his father died Thurmont Community Park and
a 2014 interview, Mike Fitzgerald in 1940. Mike and Doris Jane had donating it to the town while he was
said, “There were days and nights decided that they could open a new president of the Thurmont Jaycees.
in a row that I wouldn’t go home. restaurant and make it successful. He also helped in the creation of
I would be working here doing The Shamrock was the first Catoctin Colorfest, which allows
whatever needed to be done and restaurant in Frederick County to many non-profit organizations in
then I would sleep here.” get a liquor license in 1965. town to raise a lot of money each
The Shamrock was created out The restaurant also won a year. He was the charter president of
of an old dance hall. The walls were national award years ago for having the Thurmont Colt’s Corral Chapter
stripped and redone, turning the the best St. Patrick’s Day party in 12. Fitzgerald and his friend, Vernon
dance hall side of the building into the nation. Myers, also launched the Catoctin
the dining room. Only two rows of Mike’s living legacy, however, Youth Association.
tables had tablecloths, originally, is his family. He is survived by his He was interred in St. Anthony’s
and a smaller dance floor was left in wife of sixty-eight years, Doris Jane Catholic Church Cemetery.
Send us Your Good News to Share in The Catoctin Banner !
