John Fitzgerald (brewer)


Sir John Fitzgerald was an Irish-born brewer and wine and spirit merchant who served as Lord Mayor of Newcastle upon Tyne from 1914 to 1915. Born in Tipperary, he was knighted in the 1920 New Year Honours for his services to Newcastle. He founded the Sir John Fitzgerald pub chain that bears his name and is still owned and operated by his descendants.
He was a prominent Roman Catholic and generous benefactor to church charities. He donated Fitzgerald Hall to the church for use as a children's centre in memory of his son, Lieutenant Gerald Fitzgerald, who was killed in the First World War.
He left a fortune of in excess of £270,000, including £1,000 bequeathed to the Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle for distribution to Catholic charities.

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