In memoriam

David Fitzgerald, 1952-2000

by Nick A. Zaino III

DAVID FITZGERALD shared his humor with those who needed it most.

David Fitzgerald didn't start his career as a stand-up comedian until he was in his 30s. But once he started, he didn't stop. Not in 1996, when he was diagnosed with bladder cancer. Not later that year, when he had surgery to remove a softball-size tumor. And not even when the cancer kept coming back.

When Fitzgerald finally lost his battle last Friday at age 47, he left behind a schedule of appearances and performances that would have taxed even an especially fit man. He had stand-up performances scheduled all over New England and was still active with the Humor Institute, a public-speaking firm he founded with friend and fellow comic Darren LaCroix. Fitzgerald made it a point to share his experiences and his humor with those who needed it most, whether that meant performing in hospitals for cancer patients, talking to recovering alcoholics, or just playing the clubs around town. And he created a video, Living and Laughing with Cancer: A Comedian's Journey, that has been popular with medical professionals.

"Fitzy," as he was known to friends, recently appeared in the movie Southie and was the television and radio voice of the Massachusetts State Lottery bunny. He was "a joy to work with," says Frank Ahern, general manager of the Comedy Connection. "He made the crowds laugh, and that's all you can ask for."

Friend and local comedian Mike McDonald remembers Fitzgerald from 10 tours they did together in the USO when they entertained troops from Cuba to Croatia. "The void he's created by leaving won't be easily filled. In fact, it won't be filled," McDonald says. "There will be a huge gap. There are a lot of people who could use David's advice."