Thomas Fisher

Nancy, Sharon and Susan Fisher are sad to announce that our Father, Thomas Howard Fisher, passed away peacefully at the age of 93 on February 13. Despite his grief over the loss in 2018 of Mary (his loving wife of 63 years) and the challenges of Alzheimer’s disease, he remained cheerful, positive and charming, sharing his humour and good energy with those around him. He will be greatly missed by his daughters, their spouses and by his three grandchildren, Johnny Elliott and Arthur and Erica Sanders. He enjoyed many good times with Mary’s family, including her brothers, nieces and nephews, with special appreciation for the closeness and support from Mary’s niece, Cathy Towns.


Tom spent his life in Toronto, born to parents who emigrated from England. With a BA and Masters in Education from U of T, he taught in Kapuskasing where he met Mary, then spent the rest of his years as a valued teacher, a family man, volunteer, friend and neighbour in Etobicoke, touching the lives of many in his community. Tom made many friends, including a group from York Memorial high school that he hosted at his cottage every year until they were into their 80’s. He taught for over 30 years at Valleyfield and Parkfield public schools. He and his teacher buddies continued to get together even after they retired. He was a founder of Rexdale United Church and sang in the choir since 1955 there and later at Martin Grove United Church, where he made decades-long friendships, like the Group of Old Friends, aka the GOOFs, and their bridge friends. Both at his house in Kingsview Village and his cottage on Lake Muskoka, he valued and nurtured friendships with his neighbours. In short, he made friends easily and kept them for life.


Tom had a talent for public speaking and making a crowd laugh. But life wasn’t all fun. Sadly, Tom and Mary’s son John died in 1978 and he bravely presented the John Fisher Memorial scholarship award every year for many years afterwards. He volunteered for serious causes, including fund-raising for the fight against cancer and heart disease. Well into his 80’s, he ran annually in the Terry Fox Run, thanks to a lifetime of physical fitness and enjoyment of sports like running and golf.


The Fisher sisters would like to thank the staff at Chartwells Scarlett Heights for their care and dedication to our parents. A memorial service celebrating Tom’s exemplary life will be held later this year.