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Family Memories
This information is provided by his granddaughter.
"He was born John Jeremiah FitzSimons, on 15th October 1904, I'm told in St Kilda, but another source said East Melbourne. I know his parents owned a pub in what is now the St. Kilda Junction. He later changed his name to John Gerard FitzSimons, stating that his name sounded too religious (I'm told). John passed away 6th December 1980. I was 7 yo., so what I remember of him, is mostly from a child's point of view.
He was an inventor and tinkerer. He made films for the Brotherhood of Saint Laurence, as part of the Realist Film Unit. I believe this was to introduce public housing or at least better housing conditions for people. His name is given as Jack FitzSimons. They can be found at:
http://aso.gov.au/titles/sponsored-films/these-are-our-children/ [1]
and http://aso.gov.au/titles/sponsored-films/place-live/ [2]
and http://aso.gov.au/titles/sponsored-films/beautiful-melbourne/ [3]
His parents were Margaret Ellen (nee Skehan) of Monegeetta (near Romsey) and John Joseph FitzSimons (of Benalla, but also lived in Melbourne). The Skehan's were very talented musically, as I have been informed. My grandfather John, was indeed, a very talented musician. He was a Jazz musician. He could play the piano, organ, the ukulele and many brass instruments. I remember him playing the trumpet at my father's wedding reception (2nd marriage), when I was 7 yo.. He played along with the band. He loved music so much, that much of the dining room was taken over with musical instruments, recording equipment or equipment for playing music (record players, reels, tape players etc.).
I remember sitting with him listening to many music genres and I am passing that on to my children."
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE FITZSIMONS FAMILY HAVE A LOOK AT THE FOLLOWING WEBSITES:
http://fitzsimons.info/david/index.html
http://fitzsimons.info/david/vicdead3.html
http://wayne.fitzsimons.info/genealogy/earliest/
http://wayne.fitzsimons.info/index.php/genealogy/grandparents/
According to the Melbourne East Electoral Roll in 1931, John was living with John Joseph Fitzsimons, Agent, Margaret Ellen Fitzsimons, Home Duties, Thomas Martin Fitzsimons, and Edward Francis Fitzsimons, Musician.
In 1936 and 1937 was same as above, but Thomas had left and Mary Eileen Fitzsimons, telephonist is listed.
In 1942 census he was living with his wife Edna May Fitzsimons at 25 Balmain Street, Richmond Vic.
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