Joseph Michael Fitzpatrick Jr.

Joseph Michael Fitzpatrick Jr. (Big Joe Fitz!) died peacefully at his home in Rosendale, New York, on January 15, 2026, with his family by his side, including his cherished wife and greatest champion, Kathleen Kluber, and his son, Sam, to whom he taught the joys of baseball and the sadness that comes with rooting for the Mets.

Joe lived a wonderful 76 years—a truth he fully recognized, even as he fought pancreatic cancer in recent months. As rich as his life was with music, it was equally full of amazing family, deep friendships, and countless acts of compassion.

Born on May 7, 1949, in New York City to Dorothy Fagan Fitzpatrick (a brilliant singer herself!) and Joseph Fitzpatrick (The Great Man!), Joe was raised in the Stuyvesant Town section of Manhattan. His siblings – John, Hank, Mary Ellen, and Ann – supplied him with endless laughter, loyalty, and love. Joe also treasured his extended family, including his many loving nieces, nephews, and in-laws, as well as the entire Kluber and Doyle families, just as they treasured him.

Joe made the world a better place. His penchant for community service began as a young camp counselor at St. Vincent DePaul in Rock Hill, New York, where he formed some of his closest friendships. He was an anti-poverty VISTA volunteer in Indiana; a deliveryman for Angel Food East; a singer for the Threshold Choir; a tutor for Ulster Literacy; and throughout his 30-year career at the Astor Home in Rhinebeck, he helped many foster children find comfort.

His endless passion for music fueled another remarkable 30-year run—as Big Joe Fitz, the host of Blues Break on WDST in Woodstock. But it was his own formidable musical skills – paired with the talents of his beloved bandmates – that made him a celebrated performer of “soulful, swinging blues” in the Hudson Valley. He released albums. He delighted thousands. He found true joy.

A celebration of Joe’s life was held on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 207 Albany Avenue, Kingston, NY.

If you’d like to honor Joe’s memory, please consider a donation to Angel Food East (PO Box 3813, 207 Albany Avenue, Kingston, NY 12402), and/or Hudson Valley Hospice (153 Sawkill Road Kingston, NY 12401), whose caring workers took great care of Joe in his final days.