Fitzgerald, his two dogs and two residents who lived in the apartments above the florist, survived the Aug. 10 fire.
“We’re thankful to be alive,” he said.
And today, Fitzgerald, 68, is giving thanks for much more.
Eight days after the fire closed his business, he reopened down the street at 129 S. Main St.
He gave much of the credit to his three employees — Sandy Bond, Linda Moore and Karla Walker — but without the generosity of residents, fellow 1959 Franklin High School classmates, and area churches and businesses, the fire would have claimed the building and the business.
He said churches, ones he doesn’t attend, took up offerings and businesses donated furniture, a large-screen TV, gift certificates and clothes. He also received financial assistance from strangers around the United States.
Even in the floral business — Fitzgerald called it “cut-throat” and “very competitive” — other florists stepped forward and donated supplies to help him reopen.
“There is no way I could repay all the people,” he said. “I’m not surprised that people helped, but I’m surprised by the extent they helped.”
He called Franklin and the neighboring communities the “best on the face of the Earth.”
What lesson was learned?
“People are wonderful,” he said. “They really care about their fellow human beings. This reaffirms my faith. It shows that we do need each other. You may not need them today, tomorrow, or next week, but you will need them.”
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