It is with profound sadness that we share that Connor M. Fitzgerald passed away unexpectedly on October 23, 2024 in Burlington, VT.

He was born in Las Vegas, NV on October 15, 1994 and joined his adoptive family in Highland Park, IL where he attended school and played multiple sports. There, he became an avid Bears fan and had the opportunity to attend many Bulls games at the United Center, which fueled a life-long love of basketball. His sister, Sarah, joined the family in 1996 and they relocated back to Vermont to be closer to his grandparents and extended family in 2004. Connor attended South Burlington schools and graduated from SBHS in 2013.

We are grateful that we were able to recently celebrate Connor's 30th birthday together with much love and laughter. It reminded us how caring, empathetic, protective, charismatic, and loyal Connor was with a lively sense of humor and a strong opinion on most any topic.

Connor is survived by his mother, Elizabeth, his birth mother, K.M., and his beloved sister, Sarah. He is also survived by two nieces, Ava and Harper, whom he adored and who also adored him. He is survived by many aunts and uncles and cousins: John and wife, Donna (cousins Emily, Peter, Tim, and Lydia), Julia and husband Bill Crenshaw (cousin Mike Bishop), Mary Jo and husband Gene Risi (cousins Matt, Adam, and Kate), Jeffrey and wife Lynda (cousins Matt and Daniel), Andrew and wife Carolyn (cousins Mark, Greg, and Maggie), Jane and husband Joseph Parrish (cousins Liam, Sean and Molly) and Joseph and wife Bethany (cousins Gretchen and Britta). Predeceasing Connor are his grandparents, Mary Ellen (Fuller) and John R. Fitzgerald and infant cousin, Elizabeth A. Fitzgerald.

We wish to express sincere gratitude to the first responders of the Burlington Fire Department and the University of Vermont Emergency Department, who provided heroic efforts during Connor's medical crisis. We also wish to thank LaVigne Funeral Home and Cremation Services, who provided a dignified and respectful opportunity for us to say goodbye to Connor.

A Remembrance service will be scheduled at a later date.

"For he was lost and now is found."

A yearning heart, with restless pace

Through darkened paths, his steps did stray.

But light has come to guide his way.

Then grace descended, soft and kind

A hand to hold and peace of mind

The chains of doubt now cast aside

In love's embrace, he can confide.

This is a tale of hope untold

A story written, with love's strong hold,

For he was lost and now is found

A sacred peace, on holy ground.

In honor of Connor's generous spirit, please consider a donation to the South Burlington Food Shelf at P.O. Box 9147 South Burlington, VT. 05407-9417 or online at southburlingtonfoodshelf.org