Memories of

Editor's note: As a tribute to Jim Fitzgerald, who passed away earlier this year, we are inviting our readers to share their recollections and anecdotes about Fitz or recall a favorite Fitzgerald column. Mail your Jim Fitzgerald memories to The County Press, POB 220, Lapeer, MI 48446, email to letterscp@mihomepaper.com, call our Sound Off line at 810-452-2639 or find us on Facebook by searching Mihomepaper or on Twitter @mihomepaper.

As evidenced in the If It Fitz column reprinted this week (see page 8A), Preston Mann and Jim Fitzgerald were frequently on the opposite sides of an issue. But they were good friends who delighted in one-upping each other in their debates, both public and private.

This week, Preston’s son, Charlie Mann, reminisces about the two men and their relationship.

“The thing about these guys is they grew up in the same era. First they were all starving to death in the Depression and then they went to war and then they came back and they realized that no matter what their differences that when there are no common goals, and a lack of respect for humanity, the world would fall into disarray again.

“They both had a respect for their fellow man. Even though they had different opinions on a wide variety of subjects, they had a mutual respect for each other that was indicative of how they looked at the world, with a respect for all mankind. They epitomized what their generation stood for, putting differences aside for the greater good of the nation and its citizens.

“There was plenty of banter and Fitz had the edge because he had the paper as his stage and my dad was confined to his audience at the club, but Fitz would always be fair and give Pops a good plug when he could.

“They both would be disgusted with today’s political impasse and rhetoric and would be critical of their respective parties. The agenda today is selfish and they would, despite being on different sides of the fence, align to stand up for the common good.”