John Fitzgerald Jr., executive

John B. Fitzgerald Jr., 91, of Devon, an insurance-company executive, died of a stroke Saturday, Nov. 2, at his home.

Starting in 1952, Mr. Fitzgerald worked in the insurance industry, rising to a vice president of Cigna Corp. and later president of the firm's bond services unit. He remained active in the industry after retiring in 1989.

Mr. Fitzgerald was born outside Chicago and grew up during the Depression.

After high school, he joined the National Guard just before the attack on Pearl Harbor. He was deployed by the Army to the Pacific, fighting in the battles for Guadalcanal, during which he was wounded. He received a Purple Heart.

Mr. Fitzgerald was sent to Army Officer Candidate School. He returned to combat on Okinawa and was honorably discharged in 1945 with the rank of first lieutenant.

He attended the University of Illinois, where he met and married Dorothy Jean Hostettler. Both graduated in 1949.

Besides his wife, he is survived by a son, John B. III; daughters Ellen Hokanson and Tonie Ingram; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, at Wayne Presbyterian Church, 125 E. Lancaster Ave. Interment is private.