A funeral service will be held Saturday for Bishop W. Samuel Fitzgerald of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church's Pennsylvania Conference, who resided at 389 Lincoln St., Sharon.
He passed away unexpectedly at 12:10 p.m. on Tuesday, September 11, 2007 in the hospital of Sharon Regional Health System after a brief illness. He was 74.
Bishop Fitzgerald was born December 16, 1932 in Montebello, Va, a son of Will and Ettie Layton Fitzgerald.
After earning his high school diploma, Rev. Fitzgerald earned his bachelor's degree in sacred literature from Holmes Theological Seminary, Greenville, SC.
In the 1960s, he began his work as pastor in two churches in Virginia with the International Pentecostal Holiness Church and later relocated to Pennsylvania. In his first assignment with the Pennsylvania Conference of the Pentecostal Holiness Church, he was pastor in the New Castle Church in Lawrence County.
In 1968, he began a 39 year journey as the founder and pastor of Sharpsville Pentecostal Holiness Church. In 1994, he became assistant superintendent of the Pennsylvania Conference, a position that earned him a seat on the Conference Board of Director. Later, in 1998, he was made bishop to the Pennsylvania Conference, a position he held until his death.
As part of his vision to grow the churches locally, he began renovating the Pentecostal Holiness Church Campgrounds on Kidds Mills Road in Delaware Township, and with the help of many, transformed a forgotten piece of property into a beautiful retreat for his church members.
Rev. Fitzgerald loved the outdoors and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and especially flower gardening. He was also known to enjoy collectibles.
A loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, he loved children and being with people to share conversation.
His wife, the former Hazel Hardin, whom he married on June 21, 1958, survives at the residence.
He leaves his two daughters: Vallorrie F. Volpe and her husband Antonio "Tony" Volpe, Sharon; and Brenda L. Coonce, Hermitage; a son, Wayne Fitzgerald and his wife, Amy J., of Greenville; nine grandchildren; three sisters: Irene Lawhorne; and Geraldine Grant and her husband, Selvey, all of Buena Vista, VA; and Joyce Allen and her husband, Wilmer, Vesuvius, VA; and four brothers: Dennis Fitzgerald and his wife, Dorothy, New Castle; Hans Fitzgerald and his wife, Estelle; and Robert Fitzgerald and his wife, Ruth, all of Buena Vista; and the Rev. Sherman Fitzgerald and his wife, Maxine, Norman, Oklahoma.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his three brothers, Glenn, Wilmer and David Fitzgerald.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the Pennsylvania Conference IPHC for the general campground fund, in case of Rev. Kent Bell, 246 S. Mercer St., Greenville, PA 16125.
