Montpelier, VT Howard Peter Fitzpatrick, our beloved "Popeye," born September 22, 1926 in New York City, died March 14 in Burlington, Vt. He left George Washington High School in 1944 to join the Army and served in the Pacific Theater. He was the fourth generation in his family to join the New York Police Department, in 1951, becoming a Detective in the 17th, 44th and 18th Precincts. He married Elizabeth "Liz" Rendall in 1954 and raised five children with her in Dumont, N.J. After retiring from the NYPD in 1971, he moved his family to Cabot, Vermont, having vacationed there since the early 1960s. He started his retirement working as a carpenter for several years, then went to work for the U.S. government and later, the State of Vermont, where he worked as an investigator for the Washington County State's Attorney and the Vermont Attorney General until his second retirement in 1994. He then traveled the United States and Scotland with his dear Liz, wintering for many years in St. Augustine, Florida. In later years, as Liz's health declined, he stayed at home in Montpelier as her caregiver, easing her last years with devotion until her passing in 2014. He is survived by his children Nancy, of Montpelier; Howard, of Seattle; William, of Plainfield; and Amy, of Warwick, NY; grandchildren Jessi, Will, Peter, Lizzie, Alison, Ian, Andrew, Owen, Mina, Jessa, Evan and Liam. He is also survived by his siblings Brendan and Elizabeth (Betty). He was preceded in death by his daughter Elizabeth (Betsy) in 2000. Popeye was our patriarch, vigorous and healthy almost to the end of his life, who died as he lived, on his own terms, surrounded by his family. He taught us strength and integrity, and his life was a lesson in selflessness and unconditional love. There will be no funeral; a memorial for Howard and Elizabeth is planned in spring. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Central Vermont Humane Society or the Vermont Institute of Natural Science.