Martin "Blackie" H. Fitzgerald

SILVER BAY | Martin "Blackie" H. Fitzgerald, 89, of Silver Bay, N.Y., passed away peacefully on Feb. 19, 2026, surrounded by his loving family after a months-long decline due to respiratory failure. Born in Hague, N.Y., March 25, 1936, he was the son of the late Frank Fitzgerald and Annette Whitcomb Fitzgerald. Blackie graduated from Hague Central High School and attended Siena College. He served in the U.S. Army mechanized corps as a Pershing tank driver in Germany in the 1950s. Martin "Blackie" Fitzgerald was a simple man in the best sense of the word—and yet larger than life through the positive impact he had on family, friends, neighbors, and customers alike. He married his high school sweetheart, Martha Wallace, on Oct. 27, 1957. Martha predeceased him in 2007 after 50 years of marriage. Blackie was the proprietor of Northbrook Cottages in Silver Bay, a role he began in 1957. He was also a highly sought-after general contractor throughout the greater Hague area. In addition, he devoted countless hours to public service, serving as a school board member in the Town of Hague, Deputy Supervisor and Councilman, Hague Planning Board member, and the Hague Volunteer Fire Company. Blackie also served as Chairman of the Republican Party and was a member of the Kiwanis, Elks and American Legion. As proprietors of Northbrook Cottages, Blackie and Martha built a loyal community of guests who returned year after year—often for generations—calling Northbrook their summer home. Their reputation for warm hospitality and an outstanding vacation experience made summer accommodations at Northbrook famously hard to secure. Neighbors heard it often: "We're so sorry—we're fully booked." Blackie was born on a hill in Hague. He was only three years old when his mother passed away, and he was surrounded there by many aunts, uncles, and siblings. As a young boy, Martin would often go from house to house for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. He liked to say his affectionate nickname came from those days—he was frequently barefoot, and often had black feet. The Fitzgerald family would smile and say, "Here comes Blackie." Blackie is survived by his son, Martin Fitzgerald (Heidi), and four cherished grandchildren: Kaley (Adam) Geiser, Karney Manning, Nicholas Fitzgerald, and Michael Fitzgerald. In addition to his beloved Martha, he was preceded in death by his loving daughter, Deborah, and son-in-law, Mike Manning. He was also predeceased by his siblings Charles Fitzgerald, Elizabeth Whitford, Ella Leavett, Ethel Baillargeon, and Jeanette Fitzgerald Gordon. In the last few days of his life, Blackie reflected: "I have no regrets. I will be at peace, in that I've had a terrific life—a great wife, two wonderful children, and I've been blessed with four grandkids. I lived in the best town in the world. I had a wonderful life." A graveside memorial and celebration of life will occur in the spring. Arrangements are under the direction of the Wilcox & Regan Funeral Home of Ticonderoga. To offer online condolences, please visit www.wilcoxandreganfuneralhome.com.

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