Proud members of the local chapter of AMVETS Riders and their motorcycles lined the patriotic mural along the side wall of the AMVETS Post in Silver Creek earlier this week. The occasion was to honor a 94-year-old veteran, John Fitzgibbon, by inducting him into the AMVETS Riders as an honorary member. Kory Irish, President of the AMVETS Riders, presented Fitzgibbon with his own custom leather vest to welcome him into the club.

“I’m just thankful for this occasion and the opportunity to join with these members,” Fitzgibbon said.

Fitzgibbon always had a passion for flying, whether it be high in the air or down the highway on the back of a motorcycle. “I’ve been flying all my life,” he said.

At the age of 11, Fitzgibbon took to the air for the first time. He later served as an aviation electronics technician with the Navy just after World War II, where he not only serviced aircrafts, but also flew when called upon.

Pictured are motorcycles lined up along the wall of the Silver Creek VFW Post 6472 at a ceremony to honor veteran John Fitzgibbon.

“I flew just about every airplane the Navy had, except fighters,” Fitzgibbon said.

Fitzgibbon’s service began in 1947, and his term concluded in January of 1950. Shortly afterward, when the Korean War began in June of 1950, he answered the call to serve again. He was stationed with the Naval Air Station reserve unit located in Niagara Falls. In all, he served a total of seven years.

Following his service, Fitzgibbon flew a fixed-wing aircraft for roughly 30 years with the Sheriff’s Department. He also rode motorcycles, a passion he enjoyed for roughly 50 years, until the age of 90. It was then that his body said it was time to call it quits.

Still, at the age of 94, Fitzgibbon proudly owns his own motorcycle. He had it with him earlier this week, along with all of the AMVETS Riders lining the wall beside him as he was welcomed into the group.

When Fitzgibbon was on the back of a motorcycle, he loved to ride the backroads alongside the countryside. He never rode with a big group of riders, preferring the solitude that reminded him of how he felt when he would fly. Now in his elder years, however, the camaraderie offered by the AMVETS Riders meant the world to him.

Kory Irish, President of the local AMVETS Riders chapter, right, welcomes John Fitzgibbon, a Navy veteran, left, to the group.

“It’s something special,” Fitzgibbon said. “I’m so thankful. I’ve been blessed.”

Looking back to his younger years, Fitzgibbon described himself as “pretty wild.” He said it took “a good many years to settle down” and find his footing back home following his service. With tears in his eyes, Fitzgibbon pointed to his baptism at the age of 47 as a defining moment in his life.

As a lifelong resident of the region, Fitzgibbon calls the town of Hanover home. One of the town’s local leaders came up with the idea to honor Fitzgibbon. The event was organized by Rick Klisiewicz, the Town of Hanover Planning Board Chairman and an avid motorcycle enthusiast.

Klisiewicz met Fitzgibbon in the parking lot of the Town Hall, as Klisiewicz rode his new motorcycle to a Planning Board meeting. Fitzgibbon recognized the new style of the bike and walked over from his home on Hanover Road to ask Klisiewicz about it.

“He keeps abreast of what’s going on in the industry,” Klisiewicz said. “He asked me about it and how I liked it. I showed him all the things that it does, and he brought me back to his house to show me his bike. I thought, ‘We’ve got to do something to honor this guy.’ The rest is history.”

After meeting Fitzgibbon, Klisiewicz even offered to purchase the bike from him, but he politely declined. Instead, Klisiewicz has helped repair and maintain the bike, with Fitzgibbon’s blessing to ride it whenever he wishes.

State Sen. George Borrello and Hanover town Supervisor Lou Pelletter were also on hand earlier this week to celebrate the occasion. Pizza and refreshments were provided at Post 6472 following the ceremony.

“It warms my heart to see all these people showed up to honor Mr. Fitzgibbon,” Klisiewicz said. “We’re very proud to have Mr. Fitzgibbon as part of our community, we really are. I’m so happy so many people showed up to honor him.”