Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, April 22, 1948:
Fatal Attack Comes as Applause Dies Away
Death Lets Acrobat Take Bow
Jimmy Fitzpatrick, 54, Veteran Pittsburgh Artist,
Succumbs in Ambulance After Performing Before VFW
James T. (Jimmy) Fitzpatrick has taken his final bow.
The 54-year-old Pittsburgh acrobat died Tuesday night following a heart attack he suffered just as he completed his act at the Martin O'Donnell Post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 95 Hazelwood avenue.
As the audience applauded his last acrobatic feat, Jimmy clutched at a table and fell to the floor. Master of Ceremonies Ralph DeGenes bent over the prostrate form to find Jimmy gasping for breath. The acrobat died in an ambulance en route to Montefiore Hospital.
Mr. Fitzpatrick, who lived at 5158 Hillcrest avenue, Garfield, with his wife and former acrobatic partner, Florence, had been an acrobat for 40 years. For many years he and Mrs. Fitzpatrick toured the country in vaudeville and circus troupes as the acrobatic hand-balancing team of "James and Vernie Loster." At one time they were connected with the Keith-Orpheum circuit.
About 13 years ago, Mrs. Fitzpatrick retired and the couple settled in Pittsburgh. Mr. Fitzpatrick worked in the daytime as a painter and car repairman, but he continued performing at night for clubs and parties. He also taught acrobatics at the Home for Friendless Children and the Fillion Studios, 640 Liberty avenue.
Three weeks ago he was elected president of the Pittsburgh Entertainers' Welfare Association, which he himself founded for the benefit of entertainers.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by one son, Lee James, a professional acrobat in Chicago; five daughters, Mary Jane, Frances, Mona, Elizabeth and Patricia; three sisters and two brothers in St. Louis, Mo.
Fatal Attack Comes as Applause Dies Away
Death Lets Acrobat Take Bow
Jimmy Fitzpatrick, 54, Veteran Pittsburgh Artist,
Succumbs in Ambulance After Performing Before VFW
James T. (Jimmy) Fitzpatrick has taken his final bow.
The 54-year-old Pittsburgh acrobat died Tuesday night following a heart attack he suffered just as he completed his act at the Martin O'Donnell Post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 95 Hazelwood avenue.
As the audience applauded his last acrobatic feat, Jimmy clutched at a table and fell to the floor. Master of Ceremonies Ralph DeGenes bent over the prostrate form to find Jimmy gasping for breath. The acrobat died in an ambulance en route to Montefiore Hospital.
Mr. Fitzpatrick, who lived at 5158 Hillcrest avenue, Garfield, with his wife and former acrobatic partner, Florence, had been an acrobat for 40 years. For many years he and Mrs. Fitzpatrick toured the country in vaudeville and circus troupes as the acrobatic hand-balancing team of "James and Vernie Loster." At one time they were connected with the Keith-Orpheum circuit.
About 13 years ago, Mrs. Fitzpatrick retired and the couple settled in Pittsburgh. Mr. Fitzpatrick worked in the daytime as a painter and car repairman, but he continued performing at night for clubs and parties. He also taught acrobatics at the Home for Friendless Children and the Fillion Studios, 640 Liberty avenue.
Three weeks ago he was elected president of the Pittsburgh Entertainers' Welfare Association, which he himself founded for the benefit of entertainers.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by one son, Lee James, a professional acrobat in Chicago; five daughters, Mary Jane, Frances, Mona, Elizabeth and Patricia; three sisters and two brothers in St. Louis, Mo.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, April 22, 1948:
Fatal Attack Comes as Applause Dies Away
Death Lets Acrobat Take Bow
Jimmy Fitzpatrick, 54, Veteran Pittsburgh Artist,
Succumbs in Ambulance After Performing Before VFW
James T. (Jimmy) Fitzpatrick has taken his final bow.
The 54-year-old Pittsburgh acrobat died Tuesday night following a heart attack he suffered just as he completed his act at the Martin O'Donnell Post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 95 Hazelwood avenue.
As the audience applauded his last acrobatic feat, Jimmy clutched at a table and fell to the floor. Master of Ceremonies Ralph DeGenes bent over the prostrate form to find Jimmy gasping for breath. The acrobat died in an ambulance en route to Montefiore Hospital.
Mr. Fitzpatrick, who lived at 5158 Hillcrest avenue, Garfield, with his wife and former acrobatic partner, Florence, had been an acrobat for 40 years. For many years he and Mrs. Fitzpatrick toured the country in vaudeville and circus troupes as the acrobatic hand-balancing team of "James and Vernie Loster." At one time they were connected with the Keith-Orpheum circuit.
About 13 years ago, Mrs. Fitzpatrick retired and the couple settled in Pittsburgh. Mr. Fitzpatrick worked in the daytime as a painter and car repairman, but he continued performing at night for clubs and parties. He also taught acrobatics at the Home for Friendless Children and the Fillion Studios, 640 Liberty avenue.
Three weeks ago he was elected president of the Pittsburgh Entertainers' Welfare Association, which he himself founded for the benefit of entertainers.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by one son, Lee James, a professional acrobat in Chicago; five daughters, Mary Jane, Frances, Mona, Elizabeth and Patricia; three sisters and two brothers in St. Louis, Mo.
Fatal Attack Comes as Applause Dies Away
Death Lets Acrobat Take Bow
Jimmy Fitzpatrick, 54, Veteran Pittsburgh Artist,
Succumbs in Ambulance After Performing Before VFW
James T. (Jimmy) Fitzpatrick has taken his final bow.
The 54-year-old Pittsburgh acrobat died Tuesday night following a heart attack he suffered just as he completed his act at the Martin O'Donnell Post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 95 Hazelwood avenue.
As the audience applauded his last acrobatic feat, Jimmy clutched at a table and fell to the floor. Master of Ceremonies Ralph DeGenes bent over the prostrate form to find Jimmy gasping for breath. The acrobat died in an ambulance en route to Montefiore Hospital.
Mr. Fitzpatrick, who lived at 5158 Hillcrest avenue, Garfield, with his wife and former acrobatic partner, Florence, had been an acrobat for 40 years. For many years he and Mrs. Fitzpatrick toured the country in vaudeville and circus troupes as the acrobatic hand-balancing team of "James and Vernie Loster." At one time they were connected with the Keith-Orpheum circuit.
About 13 years ago, Mrs. Fitzpatrick retired and the couple settled in Pittsburgh. Mr. Fitzpatrick worked in the daytime as a painter and car repairman, but he continued performing at night for clubs and parties. He also taught acrobatics at the Home for Friendless Children and the Fillion Studios, 640 Liberty avenue.
Three weeks ago he was elected president of the Pittsburgh Entertainers' Welfare Association, which he himself founded for the benefit of entertainers.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by one son, Lee James, a professional acrobat in Chicago; five daughters, Mary Jane, Frances, Mona, Elizabeth and Patricia; three sisters and two brothers in St. Louis, Mo.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
