A Tribute to Alan Fisher

Alan W. Fisher, 68, a devoted family man, avid golfer, and challenge-lover, passed away on May 23, 2015, just eight days before his scheduled retirement from a 42½-year cemetery career. He felt his work was like one giant jigsaw puzzle, and enjoyed resolving challenges to create opportunity and inspiration.

When he looked back on his career, Alan was especially proud of his contributions toward the construction of a Holocaust memorial for Jewish families, a unique tribute in the Philadelphia area that lists the individual names of the Holocaust victims. In a recent story Alan said, "When people are inspired to the point where they are willing to add the perspiration, so many good things get done."

Alan grew up with four brothers on a farm in Southeastern Pennsylvania, and by age 8 he was tending to the family's dairy cows each day before and after school. He continued to live and work on the farm in the 1960s until a bad swine vaccine transitioned the family business to excavation and landscaping.

He worked on several notable construction projects, including digging an exploratory tunnel for the once proposed Tock's Island Dam on the Delaware River in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. In Philadelphia, he planted trees along Interstate 95 as part of Lady Bird Johnson's highway beautification initiative. He also delivered the topsoil for the former Veterans Stadium on which the Philadelphia Eagles began playing football in 1971.

When the effects of the Baby Boom began to be felt in Philadelphia's neighborhoods and outlying suburbs, cemeteries started getting in the way of new highways, commercial developments and university and college expansions. Alan found a niche relocating those cemeteries, usually to more idyllic and safer environments for loved ones to visit.

Alan began his cemetery career in December 1972, and through mergers and acquisitions, it eventually led him to StoneMor Partners. Though his official job title may have changed, his responsibilities remained the same and he was set to retire June 1 as Vice President of Maintenance and Development of the Eastern Division.

In retirement, he hoped to be inspired by new adventures and experiences with his wife, Mary (nee Wisniewski). They couple celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary in February, and have lived in the same Ivyland house for the last 40 years. In addition to golf and fishing, Alan was an avid football fan and enjoyed attending many Eagles games. He also was a supporter of Alcoholics Anonymous and was sober for almost 37 years.

In addition to his beloved wife, Alan is survived by four children, Jeffrey A. Fisher (Gina), Clare Marie Walicki (Joseph), Kevin Fisher, and Stephanie Casper; 10 grandchildren, Alexander James Kleeman, Katlyn Walicki, Marie Walicki, Elizabeth Walicki, Rachel Marie Sieczkowski, Amelia Fisher, Corrine Fisher, Cole Fisher, Kennedy Fisher, and Quinn Casper; and three brothers; William, Gary and Glenn Fisher. He was preceded in death by a son, Felix Fisher, and a granddaughter, Brianna Walicki.

In honor of Alan, there will be a gathering of family and friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, May 28, at Kirk & Nice Suburban Chapel, 333 County Line Road, Feasterville (215-354-0085), and again at 10 a.m. Friday, May 29, until the 11 a.m. funeral services begins. Interment will follow at Forest Hills Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Alan's family requests donations be made in his memory to Father Martin's Ashley Scholarship Fund, 800 Tydings Lane, Havre de Grace, MD 21078.