Julian A. Fitzhugh's Obituary
Julian Fitzhugh’s Obituary
Julian Alfonza (Al) Fitzhugh, age 79, of San Francisco, California passed away November 18, 2016 at Kaiser Hospital from lung cancer. Born August 4, 1937 in Macon, Georgia to Willis and Mary Henry Fitzhugh, Julian was the youngest of three boys, his brothers being Willis Jr. and Anderson.
Growing up education played a major role in Julian’s life as it served as a tool to improve his standard of living. As Julian put it, his father was the head Negro in charge of brick masonry in Macon so it was only natural that his son followed in his footsteps. Once Julian became proficient at tossing, catching and laying bricks, he realized that a life of labor was not for him.
After graduating from Hudson Ballard High School in Macon, he enrolled in the Civil Engineering Program at Howard University in Washington, D. C. obtaining a Bachelor of Science Degree. During his studies at Howard, Julian also completed the Reserve Officers Training Corp (ROTC) program which allowed him to enlist in the United States Army as a commissioned officer with the rank of First Lieutenant. His tour of duty included time spent in Germany in charge of troops and heavy ammunition movement. Dedication and hard work resulted in his promotion to Second Lieutenant departing the military with the rank of Captain. Julian declined an offer to re-enlist as he felt the tensions brewing in Asia could develop into war. His instinct was correct as that issue became the Viet Nam war.
After his military career, Julian moved to New York City and obtained a position with the Federal Aviation Administration. Life in New York as a young man was lively for Julian as he lived in Harlem in a building where the penthouse was occupied by Dinah Washington. While Harlem was the hotbed of African American music, Julian’s musical taste ran the gamut of Bing Crosby, Miles Davis, Johnny Mathis, Otis Redding and Ray Charles to name a few.
After the chill of an eastern winter had taken its toll, Julian moved west to the San Francisco Bay Area for a job with the Housing and Urban Development, and milder weather. Initially he utilized his civil engineering degree but changed his career path by obtaining a Master’s of Public Administration degree from Golden Gate College in San Francisco. This last degree advanced his career to the position of Director of Public Housing and Indian Affairs while obtaining numerous awards and certificates along the way. Most notable of his awards being from Frank Jordan, Mayor of San Francisco, 1994, upon his retirement after thirty four years of distinguished public service.
This is a brief excerpt from Julian’s remarks given at his retirement celebration:
“This is the culmination of an adventure that started in 1960 with nothing more in mind than getting a job in the “Big Apple” after a threat from my father to put me to work. I want to emphasize the difference between “getting a job” and “put me to work.” The latter meant doing something that my father taught me to do and to which I was good at but it had to be done in Macon, GA., where the summer temperature average 95 degrees w/85% humidity. The reality of the merits of this unknown adventure came to light when I heard and understood the words from President Kennedy:
“Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.”
Many of you can relate to those words since I suspect they have been the conscious and/or such conscious fuel that had been our substance to be in, or supportive of, the spirit of public service. I accept your kind words and memories with pride and love. To me it means that “MOTHER HUD” has a history that’s full of good memories and good friends. “Frankly there are a few that I could have done without and I question whether you are truly my friend. Who really needs enemies with you guys?” In all seriousness I hope that I have done some good, made a few mistakes, limited indiscretions, but most important of all, I have acquired all of you as friends, both personal and professional, and my other family. Many people have asked me why retire now? Without being philosophical about it let me say it this way. In real estate it’s said to be Location, Location, Location! The other side of that coin is Timing, Timing, Timing. In other words, I have the location, now the timing is right. The timing is right to retire, to say adios, and to start a new adventure.”
That speech was given in September 1994, at his retirement celebration where he thanked many people, most notably LaVera Gillespie, Steve Sachs, Joyce Roberson, Art Agnos, Henry Dishroom and L.P. Lewis. Three years later, June 1997 he met Joyce Burks and began yet another adventure that lasted the rest of his life. Joy was a fellow adventurer and flight attendant. Her flying benefits provided plenty of opportunity to travel anywhere. Simply put, dream it and he could conceive it, so for the next eighteen years, Julian designed and planned a variety of vacations that highlighted golf for him and spa for her. He played golf from the east coast of Hilton Head, South Carolina, south to Ixtapa, Mexico, and out west to Poipu, Kaui. Their longest venture northward was to the inside strait of Alaska on a cruise where he exchanged his golf clubs for wine tasting classes.
At home, Julian also enjoyed sports with football, San Francisco 49ers being his passion, followed by basketball and baseball. As a good sport, he even allowed himself to be a student of his wife’s yoga relaxation projects. Otherwise, he enjoyed long walks with his Old English sheepdog, Dexter, who resembled his first sheepdog, Maxwell.
Julian’s last adventure was a day trip to Bodega Bay to have lunch at the restaurant featured in Alfred Hitchcock’s film “The Birds”. Of course, Dexter was along for the ride because Julian wanted to spend time with his best friend. The day was sunny and beautiful with sweeping views of the hillside on one side of the road and the bay on the other. While Julian ordered his favorite, clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl, it really was the picturesque view that made the drive worthwhile.
Julian is survived by his wife, Joyce Burks Fitzhugh of San Francisco, CA; sister-in-law, Frances Fitzhugh of Glendale, AZ; brother-in-law, Luther Burks, wife, Irene of Upland, CA; sister-in-law, Esther Burks, husband, Mitch of Denver, CO; sister-in-law, Phyllis Burks of San Francisco, CA; sister-in-law, Adrienne McCarty, husband, Edward of Marina, CA; nieces, Jerita Rainey, husband Edward of Macon, GA; Michelle Craig Fitzhugh of Oakland, CA; Elysa Fitzhugh of Chandler, AZ; nephews, Gregory Fitzhugh of Albany, GA; Brian Fitzhugh of New York, N.Y.; Kenneth Fitzhugh of Glendale, AZ and his faithful sheepdog, Dexter of San Francisco, CA.
Joy would like to thank those of you who called, sent a card or left a message of support during this difficult time. An extra jumbo thank you goes out to Julian’s Howard University sister, Loretta Easton and his godson, Brian Calhoun for their time, energy, support and wisdom that assisted with the creation of this memorial for Julian.
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