Edward F. Fitzkee
Edward F. Fitzkee passed peacefully on November 11, 2020 with his daughters at his side and is now reunited with his wife, Nancy. As a proud World War II combat vet, the date of his passing, Veterans Day, is fitting.
He was preceded in death by his parents Rueben and Suzanna (Portner) Fitzkee and his sister Janet F. Neas. Nancy Swope Fitzkee, his beloved wife of nearly 70 years, predeceased him on April 16, 2020. He is survived by their children Dave (Cindy) Fitzkee, Diane Fitzkee, and Janice (Ray) Brown; six grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren, nephews and nieces.
He taught at English at Kennett High School from 1954, when he and Nancy moved to Kennett, until his retirement in 1983, serving for many years as the English Department Chair. Over various years he directed a number of student plays and musicals, was faculty advisor for the school yearbook, and coached the school’s boys’ and girls’ tennis teams. He was respected and well-liked among students. A reflection of the significant impact he had on students was the senior class’s choice to dedicate the 1970 school yearbook to him in a sonnet, citing his “counsel, energy, devotion.” He also very much appreciated the supportive faculty community there and developed friendships that lasted a lifetime. In 1995 he and Nancy returned to their roots in Lancaster, PA.
Ed was elected to the Kennett Borough Town Council and served two four-year terms from 1974 to 1982, including as Council President from 1979-1982. He also was active in the Kennett Presbyterian Church, volunteering in several capacities over the years.
He will be remembered lovingly by family and friends for his intelligence, sociability, service, incredible memory, keen wit, and humor. His full obituary can be viewed online at https://www.cremationlancasterpa.com/edward-f-fitzkee-2/
