Amherst, John David “Dave” Fitzgerald, 63, of Amherst died

peacefully after a brief illness on January 31, 2018 at the

home he shared with his longtime partner Melissa Porter.

He is survived by his older brother Michael and

sister-in-law Lisa of Oregon, niece Alana of Worcester,

uncle Robert Fitzgerald of Connecticut and cousins

Lisa, Peter, Tim, Laurie and Brian.

He was predeceased by his father John, mother Virginia

and younger brother Jonathan.

Born in Amherst on August 1, 1954, he attended Amherst

schools but restlessness and boredom got the best of him

and he dropped out before finishing high school.

Through a program of Hampshire County House of

Correction, he earned his GED in 1981 with the highest

score they had seem up to that time.

He soon enrolled in Greenfield Community College

to study Art. This, coupled with joining a 12 step

recovery program and getting sober on June 1 1982,

changed the course of his life.

After a period of sobriety he went to work at Beacon

Detox. Dave had a lifelong affinity for those who

struggled with alcoholism. On more than one occasion

he volunteered to serve at a soup kitchen on Thanksgiving

and ring a bell for the Salvation Army at Christmas time.

Eventually he opened Fitzy’s Tattoos in Hinsdale,

New Hampshire drawing customers from all over the

Northeast.  He quickly became a well-known and

respected member of the tattoo community traveling

the United States, Europe and Japan, meeting other

artists, visiting museums and making friends

wherever he went. After many years he closed the

shop and moved to California, drawn by the weather,

music and custom car culture.

He returned to the Valley approximately 10 years ago.

Dave loved travel, hot rods and rock and roll,

preferably all at the same time.

He will be remembered for his easy smile and insatiable

lust for life.

In lieu of flower donations can be made to the

American Cancer Society.

A Calling hour will be from 2:00 – 3:00 pm Saturday,

February 17, at the Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst,

with a memorial service from 3:00 – 4:00 followed by a gathering at

Grace Church Parish Hall on Spring Street.

Come as you are, Dave’s orders.