It was in Croom’s Town Park at the community’s open-air Mass where his retirement was celebrated.
More than 200 people gathered at the event, which took place on Friday, August 15, the Feast of Our Lady’s Assumption.
A long-serving sacristan in Croom, Tom Moloney, was also celebrated at the Mass, following his retirement.
Originally from the parish of Killeedy, Canon Fitzmaurice said: “It’s been a pleasure to serve the different communities over the last 50 years. Each role was demanding, but each of them was very worthwhile.”
“There was an awful lot of responsibility to work with the people, the schools,” he said.
Canon Fitzmaurice will continue to assist in the Limerick Diocese following his retirement.
The rest of his time, he admits, he has not really planned out.
“The thing about retirement is to be able to enjoy it, enjoy life, as one should do at any stage in life,” said the priest, who was on the 1973 All-Ireland wining hurling panel.