Thomas J. Fisher
Fisher, Thomas J. (February 23, 2021). Beloved son of the late Thomas R. and Irene M. Fisher. Thomas was a graduate of Temple University. For 35 years, he shared his love of history with the students of Cheltenham High School. Tom had a passion for documenting historical gravesites. He traveled the United States and photographed over 10K grave markers of famous or notable people. Relatives and friends with a 50 person capacity are invited to Thomas’ Mass of Christian Burial, Tuesday 3/2, 10am at St. Genevieve RC Church, Flourtown. Friends may call starting at 9am. Those who would like to attend vertually can at You Tube Channal, St. Genevieve Flourtown. Per CDC guidelines everyone attending must wear a mask, observe social distancing and limit interactions. Anyone is welcome to Tom’s interment following at George Washington Memorial Park 11:15am. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Thomas’ name may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Montgomery County SPCA.
So sorry to hear this. Tom and I were good friends at CHS. We were even friends on Facebook. He was a wonderful man and I so enjoyed talking with him. He told me all about his visits to military cemeteries and places to visit in Maryland, like St Michaels, Solomon Island. Loved his laugh. He will surely be missed. May his memory be a blessing.
I am very sorry to learn of Tom’s passing. He was a fine person and true gentleman. I feel very fortunate to have had him as a colleague at CHS. His intelligence and sense of humor were always welcome and appreciated. He simply had “class”. May he now rest in peace.
I am very sorry to learn of Tom’s passing. He was a fine person and a true gentleman. I was fortunate to have had him as a colleague at CHS. His intelligence, warmth, and sense of humor were always welcomed and appreciated. He simply had “class”. May he now rest in eternal peace.
I was saddened to learn of Tom’s passing. He was an excellent teacher, a man of dignity, humility and class. Tom had a wonderful sense of humor…quick to smile and laugh at the slightest encouragement. He was respected by his students and their parents for his dedication to excellence and for his student-centered approach to teaching. As school principal at CHS, it was my privilege to call him a colleague and friend.
May he rest in peace.
Thanks to all who have left a comment. Tom was a wonderful teacher. He was a modest man, but he realized fully his impact on his students’ lives. And even though he had no children, Tom knew he had many “children” as a teacher. Many of you have shared your memories of his easy chuckle, his suits and his delight in his travels around the US photographing gravesites. We all will miss those tibits of esoteric history he would share with us. A raconteur of the first order and a great friend.
Mr. Thomas Fisher has all ways conducted himself as a distinguished and fine gentleman! Tom was a kind person, an excellent teacher, and a connoisseur of “American History”! I remember our conversations about “Civil War Battles” of Northern Virginia! It was a pleasure to have him photo graph our student-athletes at many of our home X-Country and Track & Field Meets! He was well received by the student-athletes and staff! Although I am saddened to hear of his “Transition”, I am happy to have known him has a person who has left a “wholesome” impression and impact on others, while here! May He rest from His labor!!
The world is a bit darker, with Tom’s passing. He was my Godfather. He was my friend. My mentor. And a traveling partner all over the US. I will always miss his laugh. His stories, during which one could hardly get a word in. His love of my children and my family will be felt the rest of our lives. I am blessed beyond words to have met him, and even more so to have gotten to know him so well over the course of my life. Rest in the Peace of the Lord, Tom!
Tom and I met in 1971 when he brought his Cheltenham students to my school, Lakewood High School, where I was the sponsor of our student exchange program. It was instant friendship, and we remained friends all this time. He came to Colorado often, where we toured the country in
our camper. My kids loved him and visited him as adults in Philly bringing their own children with them. Tom was a genuinely good person, an enormous intellect, and a good friend. Adios my friend!
We love you, Uncle Tom. You will be missed.
Tom and I have been good friends since we met during ninth grade at Roxborough High School. He was always fun to be with and his laugh was a joy to behold. Our friendship has lasted more than 60 years and it was my privilege to be part of a group of RHS grads who joined him quarterly for lunch and laughter. He will be greatly missed.
We have lost a wonderful, kind man with a huge “heart”. Tom was adored by his students, highly respected by his educational peers and deeply loved by his family and friends.
His wit, humor and intellect always kept us trying to keep up with him. Tom was the consummate professional, He will be so missed by those who knew him.
I picture him looking for new grave sites to record!
Lori Pancione
Heard the divine ringing from the ship bridges to the engine rooms to order them to stop safely away at sea. So that we may witness the lighthouse lamps growing dim.
Thank you, Uncle Tom
Mr. Fisher was a true teacher and a gentleman, and a historian with passion, He has helped countless students, with care and kind advice. May he rest in peace. He will be missed.
I will miss this precious friend of 60 years. High school and college buddy. Dinners and game nights. It was so wonderful to reconnect years later for our many lunches here and in Cape May. I will miss hearing about his beloved friends in Colorado as well as his wonderful neighbors. He was so knowledgeable about so many things and I learned a lot about history (and cemeteries, where he took me for a memorable visit). And then there was his mischievous sense of humor (you are king of where?) The world is a sadder place without this kind and gentle man. He will always be in my heart.
I’m so terribly saddened to hear that Mr. Fisher has died but I’m grateful to see here how well-loved he was. He was a wonderfully supportive teacher, and I really enjoyed working with him on the yearbook. I tried to get in touch with him after he retired but was unable to get his contact information. To his friends and family, I hope you can feel some comfort in knowing how many of us students remember Mr. Fisher.
Our little family–ourselves plus our two children–grew up across the street from Mr. Fisher and his parents during the 1980s. Our son and daughter and a few other little ones on that street were good friends with Tom and his parents. We missed his Christmas card at the beginning of this December (always the first one). We certainly regret not knowing of his passing so as to have attended the funeral service. As has been registered in multiple prior messages, he will most certainly be missed; especially as one of those gentle souls who grace our lives with kindness and good humor on our journey through this life. His occasional presentations of photos and information regarding his historical grave photo hobby were fascinating.
One of if not my most favorite teacher in my 12 years as a student in the Cheltenham School district. The only teacher who taught honors classes and remedial classes. The real deal teacher of the time.