Obituaries
Ramsey's Tommy FitzPatrick, 6, Dies After Brave Cancer Fight
He loved his family, friends, school, the Red Sox and Patriots, pizza, books, word games, puzzles, hide-and-seek, and 'Star Wars.'
RAMSEY, NJ — Tommy FitzPatrick was a typical 6-year-old boy. He loved his family, friends, playing hide-and-seek, anything "Star Wars," and Legos.
FitzPatrick died Tuesday after a courageous 2-year battle with brain cancer, his obituary stated.
FitzPatrick was diagnosed with brain cancer in February 2017. The greater Ramsey community and people at his Wyckoff church aided him in his fight through the #TommyStrong initiative. (See related: $50,000 Raised In Honor Of Ramsey Boy, 4, Battling Brain Cancer)
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More than 1,000 people, including New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, contributed $50,000 through the initiative for Tackle Kids Cancer, the philanthropic program benefiting the Children's Cancer Institute at the Joseph M. Sanzari Children's Hospital in Hackensack.
"Tommy’s infectious smile, keen intellect, and clever wit were a joy to all," his obituary stated. "For two years, Tommy battled brain cancer with incredible courage and grace, and touched the hearts of the many people all over the world who prayed for him. Through it all he was truly "Tommy Strong."
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FitzPatrick was an honorary member of the Saddle River Fire Department. He joined firefighters during a drill in September.
"His exuberance, enthusiasm, and passion for the fire service will always be remembered," the department said on its Facebook page. "Please join us in extending our regrets and condolences to his friends and family."
He is survived by his parents, Andrew and Christine; siblings Jack and Sophie; grandparents Arleen Nardone, Robert and Mary Jane Nardone, and James and Carole FitzPatrick; aunts and uncles, Meg and Steve Mehos, Daniel and Maria FitzPatrick, and Maura Simon; and cousins Alexandra and Charlie Mehos, Luke and Liam Simon, and Olivia and Christopher Shammas.
The family requests donations in FitzPatrick's memory be made to Tackle Kids Cancer online at tacklekidscancer.org.
Arrangements: Vander Platt Funeral Home, Wyckoff
Email daniel.hubbard@patch.com
Photo: Tommy FitzPatrick (Courtesy of Saddle River Fire Department)
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