Raymond J. Fischer Sr., 85, of Williamsport, went to be with the Lord on Aug. 1, 2012, at home surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Williamsport on Aug. 21, 1926, the son of the late John H. and Audrey B. Fischer.
He graduated from the former St. Mary's High School and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He worked at Jewel Tea Co. and Stroehmann's until 1966.
Due to the physical demands of his Stroehmann's bread route, in 1966 he took a leap of faith and founded the Fischer Insurance Agency. With the odds against him, along with having a large family, he quickly established a book of business to support his family. Through the years, the Fischer Insurance Agency has grown to over 9000 policyholders due to the high moral standards that he originally put in place and still continues to this day.
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He was a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church and sang in the men's choir. In addition, he sang in the Gesang Verein Harmonia chorus and was also a lifetime member of the Harmonia. He was also a lifetime member of the American Legion Cochran Post No. 1.
He was an avid golfer and enjoyed taking trips to Myrtle Beach with his wife and family members. Bowling, fishing and watching western movies were some of his other favorite pastimes. He was married to the late Ruth F. (Desaulniers) Fischer for 57 years and was a loving and dedicated husband. As a father to nine children, his family was always his first priority.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth, in March 2006 and is survived by his nine children, Patricia A. Woodring, Williamsport, David (Barbara) Fischer, Camp Hill, Mark Fischer, Williamsport, Thomas E. (Karen) Fischer, Williamsport, Raymond J. (Linda) Fischer Jr., Williamsport, Stephen D. (Carmen) Fischer, Linden, Marie B. (Michael) Bausinger, Williamsport, Gerard F. (Vicki) Fischer, Williamsport and Ruth A. Fischer, Williamsport.
He is survived by 21 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; and he is also survived by brothers and sisters, Frederick C. Fischer, Donald L. Fischer, Audrey C. Ulsamer, Mary I. McFadden and Jean A. Boroch. He was preceded in death by brothers Herman W. Fischer, Robert L. Fischer, John E. Fischer and Joseph H. Fischer; great- grandson, Devon William Andrew Burley.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday morning at 9:30 a.m. in St. Boniface Catholic Church, 326 Washington Blvd., Williamsport, Pa. Msgr. Stephen McGough will officiate. Friends may call at the Crouse Funeral Home, 133 E. Third St., Williamsport, on Monday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. Burial will be in Wildwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to the charity of your choice.
