Mick FitzSimmons, 75, of Lucas, passed away at Colonial Manor in Loudonville on Monday, Jan. 21, 2019.
Mick was born on Feb. 23, 1943 in Mansfield, Ohio. He was the son of Harvey and Velma (Diesem) FitzSimmons.
Mick received his Bachelor’s degree at Muskingum University and his Master’s degree at Western Michigan University. He did additional graduate studies at The Ohio State University. Mick met his wife, Judy Radick, at Mansfield Senior High in Biology class and were blessed with 50 plus years together. Mick was an educator, retiring from Mansfield City Schools.
After retirement, he worked as a naturalist at Malabar Farm State Park and was a professor at Ashland University. With his love for the outdoors, he created and ran the Mansfield City Schools Outdoor Education Program. As an avid outdoor enthusiast, Mick loved everything about nature. With his love for the outdoors, he enjoyed hiking, skiing, birdwatching, and playing hockey on the pond he built on the family farm. He was an active member of Pleasant Valley Lutheran Church.
He is survived by his wife, Judy FitzSimmons; sons, James (Therese) FitzSimmons, David (Olivia) FitzSimmons, and Thomas (Leslie) FitzSimmons; and grandchildren, Steve, Bill, Sarah, Phoebe, Annabelle, Kate and Liz. Preceding him in death were his parents.
Friends and family may visit on Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Diamond Street Home of Wappner Funeral Directors, 98 S Diamond Street. Rev. Dr. David Aune will officiate the funeral service on Friday, Jan. 25, 2019 at 10 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Mansfield Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the Mick FitzSimmons Outdoor Education Memorial Fund. Checks should be written to “The Friends of Gorman Nature Center,” designated to the Fund.
Words of comfort may be expressed to the family at www.wappner.com.
