Gary Sheldon Fisher
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Gary Sheldon Fisher of Vero Beach, Florida died peacefully with his family at his side one day after his 84th birthday following a short illness.
Gary is survived by his wife of 61 years, Barbara (Raup) Fisher and his children Michele (Jim) Gemelas of Madras, OR and Todd (Karen) Fisher of Harvard, MA. He is also survived by four grandchildren who adored their "Gumpy": Jordan Gemelas (Portland, OR), Sophia Gemelas (Los Angeles, CA), Ryley Fisher and Casey Fisher, of Harvard, MA; his sister-in-law Sally Swank (Nelson Groh) and his cousin Mary (Rick) Ward. He was preceded in death by his parents Senie and Sheldon Fisher, step mother Janet Irey Fisher and his brother-in-law Marty Swank.
Gary was born in Bloomsburg, PA on January 31, 1937. He graduated from Bloomsburg High School in 1954 where he lettered in baseball, basketball and football along with talented athletes and coaches who were not only champions, but also lifelong friends. He became a drummer at the age of five, and continued to enjoy jazz music throughout his life. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Bloomsburg State College in 1959, married Barbara and started his career at Jasper Central School in New York State. He obtained his Master's in Education at Alfred University and after several years was named the first principal of the Steuben-Allegany County Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) Vocational Program in Hornell, NY. During his tenure the program grew from one small auto mechanics class in a rented garage to the Wildwood Education Center, situated on a sprawling campus serving thirteen school districts. Gary took pleasure in the success of the thousands of students who benefitted from the wide variety of vocational, adult education, migrant and college level programs he supervised. After 27 years, and being officially retired, he was called upon to serve the Hornell School District in an administrative capacity for several more years.
Gary was active in his community, participating in the Hornell Jaycees and coaching youth sports. He also was a volunteer firefighter in North Hornell, NY, and he was active in the Steuben County Red Cross, serving on the board in several capacities.
He was deeply admired for his positive spirit, his contagious smile and his interest in others. He will be truly missed by cherished friends, colleagues and all who had the privilege of knowing him, most especially his family.
A celebration of life will be planned when it is safe to gather. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Red Cross at www.redcross.org/donate.
Arrangements by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach. An online guestbook is available at www.lowtherfamily.com