HHS Class of ’59 selects Fitzpatrick

By Karen Donato
Staff Writer
    The Houlton High School Class of 1959 held their 50th class reunion at the Meduxnekeag Ramblers Snowmobile Club in Littleton on Aug. 15.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Karen Donato
ALUMNI AWARD — Peter Fitzpatrick, left receives a special Alumni jacket from Paul Porter, a member of the Houlton High School Alumni Association.     Class member, Peter Fitzpatrick of Houlton was very surprised when Paul Porter, Houlton High School alumni board member announced his name as the recipient of the coveted Houlton High School Alumni jacket. This award is given to a member of the class celebrating their 50th reunion and selected by members of the class.
    Fitzpatrick was selected because of the contributions to the class since graduating and that he has been instrumental in organizing the majority of the class reunions.
    Porter shared several pertinent facts from the 1959 North Star yearbook describing Fitzpatrick at that time. His ambition was to drive in the Indianapolis 500, his prized possession was his 1950 Ford and that he would try anything once.
    Fitzpatrick has not fulfilled the ambition of the race, but he has averaged that many miles a day and more on his trailer truck. He has been a long-haul driver for more than 45 years, can fix just about any machine there is and he probably has tried most things once.
    Bill Colbath, a classmate said, “Peter is the glue that has kept our class together through the years.”
    This last winter Fitzpatrick did slow down and spent a few months in the sunny South with his wife, Joyce. They have been married 47 years, have four children and six grandchildren.
    Fitzpatrick has been a member of the Houlton High School Alumni Board since 2002 and was a catalyst in the planning of the high school galas held in 2000 and 2005. He is also on the committee for the upcoming 2010 event.
    Porter said, “Peter is the first one to say, ‘What do you need? What can I do’? He is always there and willing to do whatever needs to be done.”
    He is the third recipient of the award.