Milton man has always taken care of his community. This time they're helping him after tragedy.

During an interview in 2019, Patrick Fitzgerald, the president of the Milton-based Krewe of Airship Pirates, was asked how his group had come into being.

"We used to be in all different Krewes, and we weren't doing enough charity work, so we all decided to make this Krewe," he said. "We focus a lot on community work."

That focus, that commitment to generosity, has earned Fitzgerald, his family and his Krewe a boatload of respect in Santa Rosa County. Surely enough to fill the Krewe's hybrid Pirate ship Mardi Gras float to overflowing.

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And that is why, in the wake of a horrible tragedy, the community has coalesced to do what it can for the Fitzgerald family.

"They give back to the community all kind of which ways," said Alicia Douglas. "Hopefully we can get the community to give back for them. They do so much for us."

Douglas said the first time she met Patrick and Amy Fitzgerald she was gathering supplies to send to victims of Hurricane Michael. Fitzgerald and the Krewe of Airship Pirates were doing the same thing and had procured a truck to move the provisions to hard hit areas in and around Panama City.

"He and the Krewe do all the leg work for the Milton Christmas parade, and they like to personally drive through neighborhoods delivering toys to children," she said. "They are really amazing people."

On Monday, the day after Christmas, an electrical power strip placed behind a couch and used to power Christmas lights destroyed an Orange Park apartment occupied by Alexis Fitzgerald and her 4-year-old son Rozae. Lexie, as the family calls her, tried unsuccessfully to save her son and fell victim to the inferno herself.

Rozae died at the scene and Lexie passed away Wednesday at Shands Hospital in Gainesville, having never regained consciousness. Alexis Fitzgerald's 15-year-old sister, Mackenzie, made it out of the residence, but was also taken to the Shands Hospital burn unit to receive medical attention.

Alexis Fitzgerald is Patrick Fitzgerald's only daughter, and Rozae his grandson. Ahead of Alexis being pronounced dead, Patrick Fitzgerald confided on Facebook his despair at having to make the call to remove his only daughter from life support.

"I may have to make the worst decision a parent could possibly make and I'm not ready for this," he wrote.

Long before the Fitzgeralds experienced their own tragedy, they were first in line to help others. It's part of who Patrick Fitzgerald is.

In his 2019 interview, Patrick Fitzgerald said that the Krewe of Airship Pirates focused on helping children in need and had taken on the Ronald McDonald House of Northwest Florida as a charity of particular interest. He spoke of putting youngsters in the care of the agency onboard the Krewe's ship during parade events.

Krystal Howell, the volunteer manager for Ronald McDonald House of Northwest Florida, recalled her first meeting with Patrick and Amy Fitzgerald and the origins of their interest in helping the charity, which provides a temporary home for families whose children facing life-threatening medical conditions get treatment at Pensacola hospitals.

“I mentioned where I worked and the mission behind the Ronald McDonald House. Patrick was interested in learning more so I invited him to take a tour of the House and see the impact the community can have on families facing a medical crisis," she said. "Once he learned the House is mainly funded by the community, and he had a chance to interact with the families, he immediately wanted to get involved."

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Howell said Fitzgerald told her that he likes keeping Krewe of Airship Pirates donations local so he, along with the krewe, can see the impact they are making on the local community.

"Ronald McDonald House is proud to partner with Patrick and the entire Krewe of Airship Pirates to continue giving families a home away from home when it’s needed most. We’re grateful for his support over the past five years through donations, toy drives, donating washers and dryers, and so much more," she said.

Ashley Gillis, the director of marketing for Ronald McDonald House, said that as an organization with 26 bedrooms and a constant influx of families, Ronald McDonald House of Northwest Florida finds itself often in need of new washers and dryers, which has become something they have come to rely upon the Krewe of Pirate Air Ships to provide.

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"The Krewe has not skipped a beat about replacing them for us. Usually it's just one or two, but once they replaced four of them," she said in describing what she termed "a beautiful friendship. "They've always been there when Ronald McDonald House needs something. It's just amazing to have that support in the community."

To date, at least two GoFundMe accounts have been set up to provide help with medical bills, cover funeral costs and pay to cover the costs of housing and replace clothing and other items lost in the blaze.

Erica Brown, whose GoFundMe account lists her as an aunt of Lexie and Mackenzie, has thus far received 165 donations and raised $13,190. Lisa Embres, a Krewe of Air Pirates member, has set up a fund that has collected $11,550 through 111 donations.

A Patrick Fitzgerald Family Benefit has been scheduled for Jan. 8 at the Sandshaker at Pensacola Beach. A Facebook post hyping the free event states that in lieu of cover charge, donations can be made to the family. Six bands, headlined by Buzzcutt, are scheduled to play from noon until 10 p.m.

"Please come down to The Shaker and see an awesome lineup and to help this amazing family," the Facebook post said.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Milton man Patrick Fitzgerald getting help after fire killed daughter