Edmund B. Fitzgerald facts for kids

Edmund Bacon Fitzgerald was an important American businessman. He was born in 1926 and passed away in 2013. He is best known for helping bring professional baseball back to Milwaukee. He played a big part in starting the Milwaukee Brewers team in 1970.

Growing Up and School

Edmund Fitzgerald was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1926. He went to several schools, including the University of Michigan. He also served in the United States Marine Corps. He was a Marine from 1943 to 1946 and again from 1950 to 1952.

His Work and Achievements

Leading Big Companies

Edmund Fitzgerald was a top leader in the business world. He was the chief executive officer (CEO) of Cutler-Hammer, Inc. for 15 years. In the 1980s, he also became the chairman and CEO of Nortel, a large technology company. He helped guide many other important companies and organizations.

Bringing Baseball Back to Milwaukee

Fitzgerald loved baseball and helped create the Milwaukee Brewers team in 1970. He was a Vice President and General Partner for the club until 1982. He also worked with Major League Baseball on important decisions. Before the Brewers, he was on the board of the Milwaukee Braves. He did not want that team to move to Atlanta.

Working with the Government

Fitzgerald also worked with the United States government. He advised the United States Department of Defense on industry matters. He was also part of President Ronald Reagan's committee on national security. Because he worked hard to improve trade between the United States and Japan, he received a special award called the Order of the Rising Sun.

His Family

Edmund Fitzgerald came from a well-known family. His father, also named Edmund Fitzgerald, was a civic leader. A famous ship on the Great Lakes, the SS Edmund Fitzgerald, was named after his father. This ship became famous in a 1976 song by Gordon Lightfoot called "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald."

His grandfather, William E. Fitzgerald, was a famous shipbuilder. His other grandfather, Frank R. Bacon, helped start the company Cutler-Hammer.