The Great Tony Fitzpatrick

By the time I met Tony Fitzpatrick, he was already a Chicago legend.

This was the fall of 2006. By chance, our children attended the same high school. And I saw him at a parent-teacher conference night, sitting in the last row to meet with Ms. Gallardo, the freshman-year biology teacher.

I said to myself–what the hell! That’s Tony Fitzpatrick. 

Of course, I recognized him.  Like I said, he was already a Chicago legend. A well-known renaissance man--artist, actor, poet, writer, you name it. He'd been in movies. He'd designed album covers for famous musicians--like the Neville Brothers. He knew a ton of celebrities. I was wary--figured he might go Hollywood on me.

But, no, I was wrong. Really wrong. 

I introduced myself in the hallway. And he couldn’t have been nicer.   

Put me right at ease. Started singing my praises. Said he was thrilled to meet me. Cited some column I’d written that he’d appreciated. Thanked me for sticking it to the man. Told me to keep sticking it to the man. At some point, he started dropping F-bombs about the man. Had me cracking up. It was a blast talking to him. One of those guys with the gift of gab. Never knew where he’d take the conversation—I was just happy to go along for the ride.

Walked away feeling like a million bucks. Cause the great Tony Fitzpatrick liked my stuff. Imagine that.

Just a sample of Tony's art...

I can’t say we were best of friends. Only saw him a few times after that--mostly at parent-teacher nights. Where we got to chat in the hallway. Had him on the show once. I’m actually closer to his son–Fitz. Awesome kid. A Bulls fan. Okay, so Fitz is not awesome just cause he’s a Bulls fan. Though there is a correlation…

I always thought–Tony Fitzpatrick must be doing something right to have helped raise such a great kid. And if that sounds like the corny kinda thing only a parent would say, so be it.

Hadn’t seen or talked to Tony in quite a while. But I was thinking of him just the other day. After I saw One Battle After Another.

Something about that movie reminded me of Tony. Probably it’s ‘60s-influenced counter-culture vibe. It’s revolutionary, stick-it-to-the-man-attitude. 

Or maybe it was that scene where the Leonardo DiCaprio character goes to his daughter’s high school to have a parent-teacher conference with her history teacher. Love that scene for so many reasons.

Whatever, I walked out of the theater, thinking–man, I gotta call Tony. Bring him on the show. Talk about One Battle After Another–and whatever else comes to his mind. 

You know, start a conversation and go along for the ride.

Soon thereafter, I found out Tony had died that very day. A heart attack at age 66. Way too young, as far as I’m concerned.

What a spirit. A real renaissance man. Fabulous artist. Chicago legend. And a blast to hang out with on parent-teacher conference night.

Rest in peace, my friend.