Max Fitzpatrick addresses and instructs Johnson County 4-H students in his club.
Submitted photo.
Max Fitzpatrick never had any children of his own, but in many ways, he did. A man with a zest for education and his community, Fitzpatrick donated the better part of his 89 years to Johnson County.
Fitzpatrick is a life-long volunteer who also dedicated his career to giving back as an educator. He instilled this love of learning in others both as a teacher and a principal at Webb and Needham elementary schools. He stepped up volunteer efforts even more when he retired in 1991.
His volunteering resume is extensive, including the National Education Association, Johnson County 4-H Agricultural Fair Association, Indiana Association of Fairs, Festivals and Events, the International Association of Fairs and Expositions, the International Entertainment Buyers Association, a founding member of the Indiana Regulated Amusement Device Safety Board, the Johnson County Retired Teachers Association, Johnson County Farm Bureau Inc., Indiana Farm Bureau Inc, Indiana University Alumni Association, the Indiana University Woodburn Guild, Franklin College Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Johnson County Historical Society, Franklin Chamber of Commerce, Franklin Education Connection, various antique automobile clubs including the Central Indiana Old Car Club and the Johnson County Antique Machinery Association.
Fitzpatrick did a lot for Johnson County 4-H, including leading a 4-H club for graduating seniors with fellow 4-H volunteer Amy Kelsay. She said Fitzpatrick was a friend to everyone and had a way with the kids. More than anything, he always looked out for them.
Fitzpatrick always used to call Kelsay ‘kid,’ something she holds close to her heart now that he’s gone.
She said whenever they would work on a large project and be a little in over their heads, Fitzpatrick would look at Kelsay and say, ‘Kid, what have we gotten ourselves into?’
John Wales, another active volunteer, said his memories of Fitzpatrick span back years. The two shared a mutual love for automobiles, and Wales said that without fail, Fitzpatrick would always walk up and say hello to him. Fitzpatrick had a way of making everyone feel loved and listened to, he said.
“No matter what, you always felt better after talking to Max,” Wales said. “He made you feel like you were the most important person in the world.”
Wales said Fitzpatrick leaves behind a legacy that won’t be forgotten.
“His gift to all of us was his light,” Wales added.
Fitzgerald has also been the man behind the coonskin cap for many years. To help out the Johnson County Museum of History, Fitzpatrick would dress up as pioneer Jacob Wetzel for the Franklin Fall Festival every year.
Museum Director David Pfeiffer worked with Fitzpatrick for a little over 10 years, and always noticed his love for history and the community.
Pfeiffer says his fondest memory is of Fitzpatrick’s Wetzel portrayal, mainly because of how devoted he was to the character and how excited people would get over his costume.
“I always have this image of him [in my head] where he has this coonskin cap, he would walk around and kids would come up to him and get pictures with him and stuff like that. I always have those memories of him,” Pfeiffer said.
His generosity was also unbelievable.
“He was a very generous person. If he could try to help us out, he would,” Pfeiffer added.
Fitzpatrick’s friend from college, Sue Davis, also said his personality is what shined the most.
Davis, Fitzpatrick and a few other friends would meet at Ann’s Restaurant every Friday, calling themselves the ‘Lunch Bunch.’ They always had a blast, with Fitzpatrick always making the group feel cared for, Davis said.
Echoing another friend’s thoughts on Fitzpatrick’s passing, Davis said, “Franklin is a much better place having Max in it.”
As a former educator herself, Davis said Fitzpatrick’s love for children and ensuring their wellbeing was always something she respected about him.
“[The kids] always felt like there was a mutual respect with him,” she said. “They felt like he really cared for them”
Davis, like others who knew him, struggled to sum up his personality and effect on Johnson County in a few words. She said he was just a good man, most of all.
“He was just a caring person and it showed,” Davis said. “He lived his life in a way where you could see it exactly for what it was. He wasn’t a perfect man, but it would certainly be very, very hard to find any fault with him.”
