Dr. William Joseph Fitzpatrick, 88, resident of Oyster Creek in Englewood, Florida, for over 20 years and formerly a longtime resident of Munster, Indiana, passed away on March 19, 2015. Dr. Fitzpatrick was a prominent general and thoracic surgeon in Northwest Indiana from 1958 until 1991. Upon his retirement from active practice in 1991, he was self-employed as a Health Care Consultant until 1995 when he moved to Englewood, Florida. In Florida, he remained a Health Care Consultant for several years.In Munster, Indiana, Dr. Fitzpatrick was instrumental in the creation and growth of the Community Hospital and the Jones Clinic. In Northwest Indiana, during his period of practice, he was Active Staff at Community Hospital, and at St. Margaret Hospital in Hammond, Indiana and Our Lady of Mercy Hospital in Dyer, Indiana (now known as the Franciscan St. Margaret Health Hospitals). He held the positions of Chief of Surgery at Community Hospital and at St. Margaret Hospital, and Chief of Staff at Community Hospital. He also served as Quality Improvement Advisor and was President of the Medical Staff at Community Hospital. Dr. Fitzpatrick served on several Boards of Directors, including the Community Hospital, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Indiana, American Savings FSB, and Calumet College in East Chicago, Indiana.William Joseph Fitzpatrick was born on June 12, 1926 in Hawarden, Iowa. He attended Orange City Public Schools in Orange City, Iowa. He then attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and received his Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Dayton in Dayton, Ohio. He received his professional medical degrees and training at St. Louis University School of Medicine, the Fitzsimons Army Hospital, and St. Mary’s Group Hospitals.He served in two branches of the United States Military; the US Navy Active Duty from 1944-1946, as a Second Lieutenant in the US Army Reserve from 1949-1953, and in the US Army Active Duty from 1953-1954.He belonged to several societies, among them the Lake County Indiana and Indiana State Medical Societies, the American Medical Association, and the American College of Medical Quality. He was a Life Member of the United States Navy League and a Senior Member of Woodmar Country Club in Hammond, Indiana. Dr. Fitzpatrick is survived by his wife of 46 years, Maggie; three sons, Charles McLaughlin (Candy), James McLaughlin (Carol), Brian McLaughlin (Linda); seven grandchildren, Keagan, Phillip (Katelyn), John, Hogan, Lucy, and Maggie Rose McLaughlin, and Jenna McLaughlin Shelton (Ryan); three great-grandchildren, Bella, Charles, and Jacob; brother Kerien Fitzpatrick (Rosemary); nephew Kerien William Fitzpatrick (Kim); and many friends and family. He was preceded in death by daughter Kimm Ellen McLaughlin and niece Anne Fitzpatrick. Visitation will be held at Kish Funeral Home, 10000 Calumet Avenue, Munster, Indiana on Friday, April 24, 2015 from 3-8 PM. A Memorial Service with Military Honor Guard and Celebration of William J. Fitzpatrick, M.D. will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, April 25, 2015 at Kish Funeral Home. Memorial donations may be made payable to the Community Hospital Auxiliary in Memory of Dr. William Fitzpatrick and sent to the CFNI Development Office, 905 Ridge Road, Munster, IN 46321 or online at http://www.comhs.org/ways_to_give/ch.asp. The Community Hospital Auxiliary provides essential volunteer services, assists with hospital fundraising and provides scholarships for students pursuing careers in healthcare.