John FitzPatrick, teacher, tour guide who loved history

When the National Constitution Center opened on Independence Mall in 2000, John R. FitzPatrick's daughter saw an opportunity for her history-buff father.

"This is for you," she recalls telling him.

"I'm going to work there," her father responded.

He became a tour guide at the center shortly after it opened, and he brought history alive for visitors with his booming voice and dramatic presentations.

His loud enthusiasm once disturbed a woman who was taking a tour through the center. "She complained that he was too loud," said his daughter, Sheila Taney. "When someone told him about it, he said, 'Tell her to move.' "

John FitzPatrick, a social-studies teacher in Philadelphia public schools for 41 years, a Democratic committeeman, active member of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers and an Army Reservist, died Wednesday. He was 69 and lived in the Northeast.

He was born in Philadelphia to John J. and Mary FitzPatrick. He attended La Salle College High School, La Salle University and Temple University.

Most of his teaching career was at Murrell Dobbins Career and Technical High School, then at Central High. After retirement, he continued substitute-teaching, mostly at Northeast High School, until his death.

He was a 30-year Democratic committeeman in the 36th Division of the 56th Ward.

Besides his daughter, he is survived by his wife, Judy, and two grandchildren.

Services: Funeral Mass 10:30 a.m. tomorrow at Resurrection of Our Lord Church, Castor Avenue and Vista Street. Friends may call at 8 a.m. at the Galzarano Funeral Home, 9304 Old Bustleton Ave.