THOMAS E. FISHER

ONEONTA – Thomas E. Fisher, 70, passed away Saturday, July 8, 2006 at home with his loving family and best friend by his side, after an extremely tough battle with lung cancer.

He was born April 16, 1936 in Walton, the son of Frank D. Sr. and Elizabeth (McClagan) Fisher. Tom spent his childhood years in Rock Rift.

Tom was a United States Army veteran, serving from 1955 to 1957.

He married Eleanor Sines on November 23, 1957 in Walton.

Tom was employed at L & B Cleaners from 1958 to 1965, he then owned and operated Fisher's Sunoco Station, a service station and used car lot in Walton for many years. In 1975 he and his family moved to Oneonta where Tom continued to sell used cars at Fisher Auto Exchange where the cars in the air, until present. In addition, from 1976 to 1983 he was the co-owner of the Country Tavern and also drove bus for the Oneonta Public Transit.

Tom was member of the Moose Lodge #465 and the Club Royal Oasis while living in Walton. He enjoyed his children, grandchildren and playing his guitar. He was one of the brothers in the Fisher Brothers Band, and was the best lead guitar and banjo player in the world. Tom also loved making Sunday morning breakfast for his best friend, Harold Sines. He was an avid NASCAR and Yankee fan.

He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Eleanor Fisher of Oneonta; children, Gary Fisher of Otego, Tammy (Charles) Gardepe of North Attleboro, Mass., Brenda (Thomas) MacDonald of Walton, Timothy (Lori) Fisher of Davenport, and Brian (Linda) Fisher of East Meredith; grandchildren, Nicholas and Justin Fisher, Tia, Christopher and Kayla Gardepe, Joshua and Tamara MacDonald, Mitchell, Matthew and Jordyn Fisher, and Korey and Jacob Fisher; sisters, Mary Simmonds and Carol Flynn; brothers, Francis (Loppy) Fisher and Frank (Gump) Fisher; brother-in-law and best friend Harold Sines, Sandra Ross, Donald Fisher and James Fisher; and many nieces and nephews.

Predeceased by his parents; brothers, Richard Fisher, Everett (Skeet) Fisher and a nephew, Randy Fisher.

Calling hours will be held 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 11, 2006 at the Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, Oneonta.

The funeral service will be 1 p.m., Wednesday, July 12, 2006 at the funeral home, with the Revered Stephen Blews, pastor of the Riverside Alliance Church in Walton, officiating.

Interment with military honors will follow at the Walton Cemetery.

A special thank you to the Catskill Area Hospice. Contributions may be made to the Catskill Area Hospice & Palliative Care, 1 Birchwood Dr., Oneonta, NY 13820 or the Riverside Alliance Church, 110 Stockton Ave., Walton, NY 13856.

Condolences may be made to the family online at www.lhpfuneralhome.com

The Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz St. in Oneonta, is serving the family.