Mike Fitzsimmons

Many people who knew Mike Fitzsimmons would say that he was the kindest person you could ever hope to meet. Whether it was lending an ear to listen sympathetically someone’s problems, offering a piece of practical advice, or simply telling a joke to make people laugh, Mike always put others’ needs before his own. This was especially true for his family – Mike spent his life taking care of those he loved, a task which brought him lasting happiness and joy.

Mike was born on February 23, 1946, in Jackson, Michigan. His proud parents were Dr. Francis J. and Mildred (Kidwell) Fitzsimmons. Mike was the second oldest of three children, growing up with sisters Ann and Marcia. Francis earned a living as a physician at the Kalamazoo G.M. plant, while Mildred stayed at home to take care of the children. Mike spent most of his childhood in Adrian, Michigan, but moved to Kalamazoo for his senior year in high school. In his free time, Mike enjoyed participating in high school athletics such as basketball and golf.

After graduating from Hackett High School in 1966, Mike started working at the G.M. plant himself. It wasn’t long, however, before he was drafted into the Army, where he drove tanks. Although Mike was proud to serve his country, due to some hearing loss he was not called upon to go to Vietnam. After his discharge, Mike returned home to Kalamazoo, where he resumed his job at G.M. as an engineer and tool and die designer.

For the next decade or so, Mike enjoyed his bachelor existence. The day finally came, however, when he met the woman who would change his life forever. In 1982, Mike was fixed up with Robyn by her aunt and a friend. For their first date, they went to a dinner-dance fundraiser at St. Margaret’s Catholic Church, in Otsego. Mike and Robyn hit it off right away, and dated for the next year. On March 5, 1983, the couple was married at St. Thomas More Church in Kalamazoo.

Mike and Robyn settled into their home in Lake Doster, Michigan. They enjoyed married life for ten years before their family was completed with the arrival of a daughter, whom they named Kaitlyn. Mike was very much a family man, and a wonderful husband and father. Family was always Mike’s first priority; for example, nothing could make him miss family night-out every Friday evening. The Fitzsimmons family also included several canine members over the years: Bridey, Sam, Moxie and Lou.

In his free time, Mike loved to golf at the local Lake Doster Golf Club. He was close to being a scratch golfer “back in the day,” and he won several golf outings. Mike and his friends also looked forward to their annual “Snotty Nose Invitational,” a late October golf outing followed by food and poker at someone’s house. Mike enjoyed working with horses as well, and raised Arabian horses with his sister Marcia for over twelve years.

Mike retired from General Motors in 2009, after forty-three years of dedicated service. Although he never really got the traveling bug, he enjoyed taking weekend trips to Traverse City. He did take a golfers dream vacation, however, to Scotland where he played the Old Course at St. Andrews with friends. He also saw France and Belgium as a young adult with his parents. At home, Mike could often be spotted relaxing in front of the TV, watching the history channel or cooking shows. His happiest moments in these golden years were those spent with his beloved family members and his friends.

Kind, dependable, and always willing to help others, Mike Fitzsimmons was a devoted husband, a loving father, and a true friend. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his many friends and family members.

Michael “Mike” Fitzsimmons died on March 20, 2012, at the age of 66. Mike’s family includes his wife of 29 years, Robyn; his daughter, Kaitlyn; his sisters, Ann (Alexander) Nemeth and Marcia Fitzsimmons; his niece, Suzanne Nemeth; and his nephews, Michael Nemeth and John Nemeth.

A funeral service will be held on 12:00 p.m., Friday, at the Life Story Funeral Home, Plainwell; 120 Woodhams St. (685-5881). Memorial contributions can be made to The American Cancer Society. Please visit Mike’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can learn more about his life, share a favorite memory or photo, and sign the online guestbook.