A family celebration

When you enter the hardware store in Marysville you will see an outstanding example of a man who knows the value of teamwork. With seven children, Larry Fitzgerald enjoys Fatherís Day everyday. Larry and his wife Barbara have raised their family to respect and appreciate the value of working for a common goal. All of the children ‚ three girls and four boys ‚ have at one time during the years worked in the ìfamilyî hardware business. The hardware store, which was always the backdrop to daily life and family times, has been the stage for teaching life lessons to the children. They came to realize that no one would ìget byî without learning the value of work. Presently, the third and fourth generations of the family manage and work at the store. Dan, who earned a degree in Business from Notre Dame University and Jim who earned a degree in Finance from Miami University of Ohio currently operate the managerial duties for the hardware store. As his family grew in age, his focus changed. Like any parent, Fitzgerald was dedicated to his responsibilities, which included his childrenís interests and, naturally, he wanted the most for his children as they were growing up. ìWe felt that the childrenís education was not complete until they had earned a college degree,î said Fitzgerald. Each of their seven children pursued their own area of interest and has made their parents proud that they have each crossed the finish line of higher education with a degree. The educational process was filled with sacrifices. Over the years, high school and college graduations occurred often and brought much reason for celebration. However, it was always understood that there would be no high school or college graduation parties until the time arrived when everyone had graduated from college. At that point, a simultaneous party would take place. After 21 and a half years of college tuition payments, the family finally held one giant celebration with a separate cake for each college attended. It was a joyous occasion for many reasons. Today, all of the graduations are celebrated along with the endurance of the parents who have withstood the most tests over time. Ann and Mary Lou earned degrees in Education from the University of Dayton and Western Florida University, respectively. John, a CPA who earned his Accounting degree from Miami University of Ohio, has also served 27 years in the Air Force. Kay earned a Liberal Arts degree from Wittenberg University. Patrick has earned several degrees including a Philosophy degree from Miami University of Ohio; a degree from the University of Arizona; a Masters of Philosophy; a degree from Oxford, England and a Ph.D. from the University of Arizona. Fitzgerald knows as much about his family as he does about the hardware and plumbing business. He has shaped and watched each of them advance and cross finish lines that symbolize achievement. Away from the store, Larry was always actively involved in his childrenís lives, whether it was as the coach for little league, at home, or just listening and being available to provide advice when it was needed. He would do what is needed, when it is needed. Thatís what makes fathers the loved ones that they are. The man who has given life more than a sporting chance has a connection to the store goes back several decades. He followed in his unclesí footsteps when he entered the hardware business. After leaving The Ohio State University in 1947, Fitzgerald came to Marysville to work with his uncles John and Jerry McAuliffe in the plumbing and hardware business. At that time, the business specialized mostly in outside plumbing work. After his uncle Johnís death in 1957, the plumbing business was gradually shaped into more of a hardware/appliances entity. Today, the business is very versatile and includes industrial rental services, lock repair, carpet cleaning, an outdoor nursery and several other services. Outside of work and family, Fitzgerald also trained four-legged creatures ‚ horses ‚ that have also been a significant part of his life for many years. ìHorses have been a part of my life since I came here to spend summers with my uncles when I was a child,î said Larry. Since that time, a number of horses have passed through his care and he has trained several of them. He was rewarded when a special three-year-old filly, Becken Becky, earned a place as the Champaign Trotter in the Ohio Sired Stakes in 1985. Showing his dedication to the sport for the last six decades, Larry has been in attendance at every Little Brown Jug since 1946. A lifetime dream was realized when Western Resolve, a horse that Fitzgerald co-owned, finished third in 2003. He has his tickets for the 2007 Jug that will be in September and is scheduled to be sitting in his box seats that are adjacent to the finish line, along with his family. Regardless of what he does, Fitzgerald continues to have love, compassion and understanding for his family. He extends love to them and they love him, too, on Fatherís Day and everyday.

Edited by UCP staff.