WEST BATH – Launy J Fitzjarrald, aged 84, of West Bath, Maine passed away peacefully at home September 3, 2018, secluded in the quiet woods and nature that he loved and enjoyed so much.

He was born in Mackay, ID.  The family moved to Pocatello, ID in 1943 where he lived until he left for the University of Idaho.  He received a degree in electrical engineering and was a member of the Army ROTC Signal Corps, achieving the rank of first lieutenant. After graduating, he worked at Western Electric, and was assigned to Lincoln Labs at MIT in Boston, becoming a member of an elite team trained to implement and test a new radar air defense system known as SAGE. He later became a field engineer for the USAF Air Defense Command.

In 1959, Launy married Elizabeth of North Andover, MA. They enjoyed living in many areas of the country over the next six years while he oversaw the installation of the SAGE network. He then accepted a job with the Dept. of Navy in Bath, ME, supervising shipbuilding at Bath Iron Works where he worked as a combat systems engineer for 32 years.  He retired in 1997.

Launy loved the outdoors and spent many happy days with his family skiing, camping, fly fishing, and traveling. He also enjoyed building and tinkering, and could be found at his workbench working on a new project or fixing whatever needed his expertise.

Launy is survived by his wife Elizabeth; his daughter Andrea (Jim) Klaas of Hood River, OR; his son Lance (Kimberly) Fitzjarrald of White Salmon, WA; grandsons Chad, Aiden, Liam and Cameron; his Idaho families Karen (Bob) Wardle and Paul (Ra Nae) Palmer, and his New Hampshire family Janet (Allan) Virr and their children David and Bonnie.

Friends and neighbors are invited to the Fitzjarrald residence, Thursday, October 11, 2018, from 2:00pm-4:00pm for a time of remembrance.

The family has chosen the following beneficiaries for those who would like to make a donation in Launy’s memory because they reflect his love of learning, travel, and the great outdoors:

• The Bath Community Forestry Center Nursery Building and Education Center, City of Bath, 1 Oak Grove Avenue, Bath, Maine 04530
• Road Scholar Scholarship Fund, 11 Avenue de Lafayette, Boston, MA 02111

Memories and condolences can be shared at www.brackettfuneralhome.com.