Retired Cooper Chief Operating Officer William Fitzgerald passed away May 18, 2012, at the age of 86.
Fitzgerald’s career with the Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. began in 1953. Starting out as a salesman, he rose through the ranks over the years to COO and President when he retired in 1991.
He is largely credited with the rise of Cooper Tire from a small regional manufacturer to an International Fortune Five Hundred Corporation.
Fitzgerald was inducted into the Tire Industry Association’s Hall of Fame in 1992.
Born in Akron, Ohio, in 1926, he was a veteran of World War II and had degrees from the University of Akron (1950) and The Harvard College Advanced Management School (1969).
Visitation is Tues. May 22 at the Coldren-Crates Funeral Home, Findlay, Ohio. Services will be at 10 a.m. May 23 at St. Michael the Archangel Church, Findlay.
