Terrence Fitzsimmons

Terrence Gregory (Terry) Fitzsimmons, age 91, died in Albuquerque, NM on November 24, 2021 after recent injury, surgeries, and decline.

Born on September 8, 1930 in The Bronx, NYC; he was the youngest of nine children of Terence Fitzsimmons and Bridget Rose (Clarke) Fitzsimmons who had emigrated from Virginia, County Cavan, Ireland in 1929.

The Fitzsimmons family first settled on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Tuberculosis struck, and then the fatherless family moved out to Jamaica in the Queens borough of NYC during WWII. Never-the-less, Terry made a daily commute into Manhattan during the school year until he graduated from Power Memorial Academy in 1949. He joined the US Army in 1951 and served in Korea where he had the good fortune to meet entertainer Debbie Reynolds during one of her wartime USO tours. 

Returning home, he later attended City College of NY and soon began a career selling life insurance. However, by 1976 he was unhappy in New York when he, along with Babuska his dog and spiritual advisor, decided to leave the apartment where he had lived for more than 30 years and move to California. There, Terry became a real estate broker, first in Los Angeles before settling in San Diego. 

While in San Diego he was able to make some dramatic changes. He joined Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Overeaters Anonymous (OA). Terry devoted the rest of his life to sharing his personal successes by becoming an inspiration, mentor, and sponsor to others, without forcing his way of life on anyone.

Retiring in 1992, he chose Santa Fe, NM where he thrived and made many close friends. Terry was active in several organizations, including AA, OA, AARP, Santa Fe Recovery Center’s Board of Directors, and Manager of The Friendship Club of Santa Fe.

After Terry got sober, lost his excess weight, and got in shape, he realized he had always thought of himself as “Terry Screwed.” He began calling himself “Terry Blessed.” Many in Santa Fe knew him only by that name.

Physical fitness and financial acumen enabled him to travel extensively, making multiple trips to Ireland, Machu Picchu, Peru, and New Orleans Jazz Festivals. Total strangers everywhere became new friends to this outgoing gentleman. He was a diminutive man, only in stature, who lived large and encouraged others to do the same.

He would often paraphrase Meister Eckhart saying, “If the only prayer you ever say is thank you, that’s sufficient.”

Mr. Fitzsimmons maintained close ties with his large extended family which includes many cousins in Ireland. Uncle Terry was kind, supportive, and influential to numerous nieces and nephews. His parents preceded him in death, as did all of his siblings: Rose (RoseAnn) Tinnelly, Kitty (Kathleen) Creeden, Jim (James) Fitzsimmons, Gene (Eugene) Fitzsimmons, Bridie (Bridget) Heslin, Maureen Heintz, Nancy Evers, and Connie (Cornelius) Fitzsimmons, who was his beloved brother who died as a child when he fell through the docks into the Hudson River. He is survived by numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Interment will take place at Santa Fe National Cemetery at 9:45 AM on January 10, 2022. A memorial service will take place at a time, date, and location to be named later. Arrangements are under the direction of Rivera Family Funeral Home.