Norman P. Fisher

Norman P. Fisher, surrounded by family, went peacefully to meet his Lord and Creator on August 31st 2019. Born November 11th, 1930, the second son to Maynard Fisher and Olive (McKenzie) Fisher in Varysburg, New York. Norm and his brother Raymond grew up on a small dairy farm in western New York; schoolwork, chores, church and sports filled their days, (Norm was a 3 sport letterman in his senior year of high school).

Norm and Esther Francine Royce grew up in the same town, attending the same schools, church services and functions. They started dating after attending Attica Central School and were married 1½ years later on September 1, 1951. Norm and Esther moved to Florida where he tried his hand at orange and grapefruit picking for a time. They moved back to western New York where he worked on dairy farms and other odd jobs. Norm was drafted into the Army March 16, 1955. After basic training at Fort Dix, New Jersey Norm went to Fort Bliss Texas for guided missile training. Esther, with their first two children (Francine and David) joined him there in October 1955. Norm’s last training in the Army was done in Fort Sheridan, Illinois. True to form, Norm had another job lined up in the Chicago area (and did both jobs for a while) before being discharged from the army. Norm was honorably discharged from the Army on March 15, 1957. Norm, Esther and now three kids (Francine, David and Steven) moved to Long Grove Illinois where Norm worked at Deringer’s machine shop. Norm took night classes to enhance his metal machining knowledge and getting his journeyman electricians license. He also worked many ‘handyman’ jobs to support the growing family he and Esther always wanted.

In September 1973 Norm, Esther and eight of their kids (Steven, Martha, Tim, Jeff, Jody, Scott, Charlene and John) moved to Greeley CO with the promise of smaller town living and a job at Kodak in Windsor Colorado. Although the job at Kodak didn’t work out, Norm found work at Woodward Governor Company in Fort Collins Colorado. Norm worked in the machine shop at Woodward for 16 years retiring in 1989. While saying he was ‘officially retired’ is a stretch as he continued to own a lawn mowing business, work as a handyman and fix and repair things on several rental homes that he had purchased in Greeley and Grinnell Iowa.

Norm was an avid collector throughout his life. He found great joy in visiting flea markets, auctions and yard sales and collecting coins, stamps, marbles and antiques of all kinds. Norm’s work ethic was quite impressive. Never one to sit idle for very long, he was always busy working on a project (or two).

Norm is survived by his loving wife Esther of 68 years, 10 children; Francine Bryant (Grinnell, IA), David (Crystal Lake, IL), Steven (Greeley, CO), Martha Frederick (Fort Collins, CO), Tim (Bartlesville, OK), Jeff (Greeley, CO), Jody (McMinnville, OR), Scott (Windsor, CO), Charlene (Greeley, CO), John (Fort Collins, CO), 24 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren.