A successful businessman, Fitzpatrick was appointed to the senate on the advice of Jean Chrétien in March 1998. He sat as a Liberal. He reached the mandatory retirement age on February 4, 2008.
His business interests are varied and include being the proprietor of CedarCreek Estate Winery, General Partner DRF & Associates, Chairman of Greata Ranch Development Corporation and Chairman of Channel Resources. Fitzpatrick was the founder and CEO of Viceroy Resource Corporation.