Carrabassett Valley, Maine - Peter James Fitzpatrick, 79, passed away peacefully on July 14, 2026. He faced ALS, like he did with everything in life, with humor and joy. Peter was born at his family's farm in Bancroft, Maine, the son of Foster and Reecyl Fitzpatrick.

He was a graduate of Stearns High School in Millinocket, where he was on state championship teams in 1964 in both baseball and football, and was a member of the 1963 New England Championship Basketball Team, as well as the 1964 and 1965 Eastern Maine State Championship teams. He is a member of the Maine Basketball and New England Basketball Hall of Fame. Peter answered the call to serve his country in the United States Army, serving as a Buffalo Soldier in the Vietnam War. Following his military service, Peter graduated from the University of Maine and then joined the Peace Corps on the island of Ponape in Micronesia where he met his beloved wife, Kathy. They moved to St. Croix in the Virgin Islands and taught school for two years before moving to Madison, Maine, where Peter began a long tenure in the Madison School Department. Peter enjoyed the outdoors, whether he was skiing his favorite trails at Sugarloaf, fishing and hunting at his camp in Bancroft, or spending time by the ocean in Kathy's hometown of Stonington, Connecticut. He also enjoyed a spirited game of pitch, canasta, and cribbage.

Peter is survived by his wife of 49 years, Kathy (Savin) Fitzpatrick. He also leaves his sister, Ann (Ralph); and his brother, Gary (Suzanne). He shared a special bond with all his nieces and nephews in both Maine and CT. A special thank you is sent to Peter's caregivers, who became family to him.

A graveside service with full military honors will the held for Peter on Tuesday, July 21, at 11:30 a.m. at St. Mary Cemetery, 500 Stonington Rd., Stonington, CT. Mystic Funeral Home is assisting this family. Donations in Peter's memory may be made to ALS United Connecticut, 99 Hawley Ln, Suite 403, Stratford, CT 06614. alsunitedct.org