John Francis "Honey Fitz" Fitzgerald (February 11, 1863 – October 2, 1950) was an American Democratic politician from Boston, Massachusetts.

Fitzgerald maintained a high profile in the city whether in or out of office, and his theatrical style of campaigning and charisma earned him the nickname "Honey Fitz".

In 1901, Fitzgerald was one of three representatives, along with Charles H. Grosvenor and George Henry White, to argue in favor of reducing the size of southern delegations in accordance with the Fourteenth Amendment due to their suppression of voting rights for black people.

[13] However, the Republican vote was split between Frothingham and judge Henry Dewey, who ran on the Populist ticket after losing the primary.

[12] According to Peter Jones, during his first term as mayor, Fitzgerald demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the city, actively advocating for the development of port and harbor facilities and promoting industrial growth.

He also engaged in corrupt practices, manipulating public contracts to create superfluous jobs for poorly credentialed friends.

For instance, he appointed a tavern keeper and a bartender to superintendent positions for public buildings and streets, respectively, and his brother Henry managed the patronage department.

The mayor's tireless energy was on full display: in two years he attended around 1200 dinners, a thousand meetings, and 1500 dances, maintaining an active presence throughout the city.

[15] He lost the 1907 election in part because his opponent, Republican George A. Hibbard, promised he would "clean up [Fitzgerald's] mess.

Fitzgerald escaped prosecution, but made a long-term enemy in Daniel H. Coakley, an Irish lawyer who had defended one of the key figures in the business.

[19] Fitzgerald won a narrow victory over James J. Storrow, a stiff Protestant Republican Boston Brahmin.

In his later years, Fitzgerald focused on his business interests and on honing the political instincts of his daughter Rose's promising sons.

In 1946, when John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy decided to run for Congress, 83-year-old Honey Fitz helped him plan his campaign strategy.

At the victory celebration, Fitzgerald danced an Irish jig, sang "Sweet Adeline," and predicted that his grandson would someday occupy the White House.

At one point, he was the group's chairman and threw out the ceremonial opening pitch at Fenway Park's inaugural game on April 20, 1912, as well as in the 1912 World Series later that year.

As "Honey Fitz" was carried to his final rest from Holy Cross Cathedral to St. Joseph Cemetery in West Roxbury, Massachusetts, a crowd of thousands gathered along the streets and sang "Sweet Adeline.

Of his stylish manner, Robert Dallek wrote: He was a natural politician—a charming, impish, affable lover of people.

... His warmth of character earned him yet another nickname, "Honey Fitz," and he gained a reputation as the only politician who could sing "Sweet Adeline" sober and get away with it.

A pixie-like character with florid face, bright eyes, and sandy hair, he was a showman who could have had a career in vaudeville.