Obituaries: Kenneth Joseph Fitzharris

  • by BAR staff
  • Wednesday August 17, 2022
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co-owner of the Bootcamp in San Francisco, and the Paradise Cove in Guerneville.
co-owner of the Bootcamp in San Francisco, and the Paradise Cove in Guerneville.

March 28, 1940 — July 3, 2022

Ken Fitzharris, 82, passed away on July 3, 2022. Born in Chicago March 28, 1940, he lived in the Bay Area since the 1960s.

In his last months, he was attended to by his loyal friend, Chris Murray, who Ken cared for deeply. He passed quietly with two of his sisters at his bedside.

Ken was a beloved character in the 1970s and 1980s gay community, as co-owner of the Bootcamp in San Francisco, and the Paradise Cove in Guerneville.

Ken supported several AIDS charities including Project Open Hand, plus St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Friends always knew he had their back with good advice, cash, and a place to live. He deeply impacted the lives of several individuals. As a close friend said, "He rarely criticized others and was always willing to help."

Ken loved his garden, books, dogs and parakeets, thrift stores, and church.

Ken is predeceased by two brothers and survived by Maureen Walter, Jeannette Fitzharris, MaryAnn Fitzharris, Terrance Fitzharris and William Fitzharris.

Rest well, our friend and brother.

Actually, we think he is not resting; rather, he is happily pouring drinks under a glittering disco ball listening to Donna Summer's "She Works Hard for the Money."

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