James V. Fitzgerald saved marine reserve

James V. Fitzgerald, a former San Mateo County supervisor who led the county's effort to save a popular marine reserve in Moss Beach, died Nov. 6. He was 87.

Mr. Fitzgerald served on the county's Board of Supervisors from 1960 to 1980 and was an avid conservationist long before it was fashionable. He helped establish thousands of acres of parkland including Coyote Point in San Mateo, San Pedro Valley Park in Pacifica, San Bruno Mountain State and County Park, Wunderlich Park in Woodside and Junipero Serra Park in San Bruno.

"He was very, very strongly in favor of preserving open space, but he was practical about it," said his son, Jim Fitzgerald. "The reason he was able to be successful was that he had credibility with both developers and environmentalists."

As Board of Supervisors president, Mr. Fitzgerald was instrumental in creating a 3-mile-long marine reserve in Moss Beach that ultimately was named in his honor.

The marine reef was home to sea stars, crabs and many other ocean creatures. For years, the beach had been a favorite destination for thousands of bucket-toting school children on field trips and scores of motorcyclists -- and both groups were destroying the living reef.

In the late 1960s, when a group of developers threatened to cut off access to the beach, a team of Stanford biologists approached Mr. Fitzgerald, an avid scuba diver and abalone hunter, and asked for his help in saving the reef.

Amid protests from recreational fishermen and scuba divers, Mr. Fitzgerald persuaded the county to pass legislation that officially granted reserve status to the Moss Beach tide-pool area. The state Legislature followed suit, and the beach and surrounding areas became the James V. Fitzgerald Marine Reserve.

"It meant the world to him," said his daughter, Susan Fitzgerald. "We would often go there as a family."

The reserve now serves as a seaside classroom to thousands of students a year, who are led on guided educational tours through the delicate and slippery reefs.

Mr. Fitzgerald was born in San Francisco in 1919 and grew up in the Marina, where he met Jean Rodegerdts. The two married in 1942. After serving in the Navy during World War II, Mr. Fitzgerald inherited his father's real estate and insurance business.

The couple moved to San Bruno and Mr. Fitzgerald, a lifelong Republican, immersed himself in local politics. By 1951, he was elected to the San Bruno City Council and served eight years, including several of them as mayor, and was instrumental in building a new City Hall, library and recreational hall.

After his election to the Board of Supervisors, he prided himself on maintaining a strong and independent voice. His son said supporters often encouraged him to seek higher office, but Mr. Fitzgerald stayed put.

"He felt very strongly that he could do more for the community by serving on the board at a local level, especially with the environmental issues and the parks," Jim Fitzgerald said.

Mr. Fitzgerald and his wife, Jean, were married 63 years until her death last year. He is also survived by another son, Christopher S. Fitzgerald of San Bruno, and a granddaughter. Mr. Fitzgerald requested that no services be held in his honor. The family suggests that contributions be made to a charity of the donor's choice.