William H. FitzSimmons of Southampton died at his home on March 14 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was 86.
Born May 16, 1922, in Springfield, Illinois, he graduated from Northwestern University and received a master’s of business administration degree from Harvard Business School in 1954. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II and served as a naval pilot, lieutenant junior grade, engaged in air sea rescue in the Pacific.
He had a career in advertising and was associated with such New York City firms as Benton & Bowles and Ted Bates, and had his own company in Hollywood, California.
In 1970 he moved with his first wife, Catherine McCauley FitzSimmons, who predeceased him, to Bridgehampton, where he established a real estate company. He was also an adjunct professor at Long Island University’s Southampton campus for 17 years.
He is survived by his wife, Jean Remmel Little, whom he married in 2002; and three sons from his first marriage, William McCauley, Edward FitzSimmons and Thomas FitzSimmons, all of Bridgehampton.
A graveside service will be held on Friday, March 20, at 4 p.m., at Edgewood Cemetery in Bridgehampton; Reverend Peter Larsen will officiate. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Brockett Funeral Home in Southampton.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Southampton Hospital’s William H. FitzSimmons Fund c/o the Southampton Hospital Foundation, 240 Meeting House Lane, Southampton, NY 11968 would be appreciated by the family.