Harold “Hal” Fisher

Harold Arthur Fisher, 91, of Safety Harbor, Florida, passed away on April 19, 2018.  He was born in Newark, New Jersey on December 18, 1926. Harold grew up in the Bronx and was the oldest of three children. His mother was a British nurse and his father was a ship builder. He carried out his father’s legacy with his hobby of building intricate ship models. The ship models were displayed all over his home and were nothing short of remarkable. The construction of these models would have taken a laser sharp focus and the patience of a saint; however, Hal took great joy in this and of which could have been considered one of his favorite hobbies. Hal lived on Columbus circle in New York and was in a street gang when he was younger known as The Heath Street Comets. This daring tenure was short lived and as Hal matured he grew into quite a fine and respectable young man.

Hal was a well-rounded and versatile individual who partook in many interesting ventures. He started a ski resort in Connecticut as a young man and was a Scout Master to troop 444 in Omaha. He also served his country in the army and received an honorable discharge. It was his dying wish to have a veteran’s service to further give tribute to his country and to all those whom had served and died before him. He was a true scholar and his intelligence and book smarts far excelled most and he graduated as an engineer from Columbia University. He was also one of the founders in 1996 of the University of West Florida’s Leisure Learning education program.

Hal married Carolyn Brady in West Memphis, Arkansas in 1955 and they had 4 children. He began his career in sales at the Granite City Steel Mill in Kansas City. He traveled the State Fair circuit demonstrating a new type of steel called Strong Barn to farmers. The steel is still used today to build out buildings on farms. He then traveled the country selling to many types of steel using industries such as traffic light poles, army helmets, canteens, hangers, and other various items. He would drive to the most remote customers and sell them truckloads of steel. He had a very successful career and was willing to go to any length to support his family. This translated into years of working very hard to instill core family values in all of his children and passing them down to the generations to come. He took his position and responsibility as family patriarch very seriously and truly loved and adored his wife, children and grandchildren. In 2016 he wrote that his proudest accomplishment was to “have children that loved each other.”

Hal took fashion cues from no one; however, he was such a handsome man that his appearance always came across as put together no matter what he was wearing. He also had no filter and spoke what was on his mind. He most likely narrowly evaded a few conundrums from people kindly blessing his ignorance for most who loved Hal found it comical, pardoned it and will greatly miss his last wildly inappropriate comment that passed their ears.

Hal was an avid traveler who loved to visit National Parks, visited all 50 states in his lifetime, drove over 1,000,000 miles in his travels and explored locations internationally. Later in life, Hal had a home in Destin, Florida where he enjoyed painting the ocean. He was a talented artist and painter. Other hobbies included wood carving, coin collecting, camping, skiing, reading, golfing and he thoroughly enjoyed music. Hal had an affinity for astronomy and viewing the stars through his telescope on his back porch. He also loved books and education and had numerous encyclopedia collections. To add amongst his many talents would be his ability to make a good “snort” that was to be sipped and enjoyed amongst an intriguing and interesting conversation of some nuance of the world or complexity of a system that he was recently exploring and getting lost in. He was a ponderer of life’s riddles and enjoyed spending hours discussing these with anyone and everyone who would listen and he was a very descriptive and great story teller.

It was the simple things around him in life that Hal never took for granted. He was truly humble, always listened to people and never left anyone out. He was a very caring and compassionate person, and always put the needs of others before his own. He had a subtle humor and there was such a quiet peace and calm about him at all times and rarely would you ever see him sad or worried.

Hal was a remarkable and well-respected man, father, grandfather and great grandfather and he is already greatly missed. We sincerely thank you for all of the beautiful memories, family values and love you contributed to this family. Rest in peace Hal Fisher; until we all meet again.

I love you Grandpa.

Your Granddaughter, Morgan

Hal is survived by his four children and their spouses, Robert Brady Fisher & JoAnn Wechter, David Brett & Kathy Fisher, Thomas Brian Fisher & Jon Ballesteros, Beth Anne Fisher & Caroline Glawe; his grandchildren and their spouses, Morgan DiGiorgio, Kalyn & Garrett Blosel, Dayton & Valen Fisher, Adam & Nicole Zavodny, Michael & Maria Law, Max Fisher and Joe Fisher; and his great grandchildren Sophia & Giavanna DiGiorgio, Hannah Jo, Braelyn, & Dax Fisher, Hunter & Aiden Zavodny, and Julia & Nicole Grace Law.

Service Information is as Follows:

June 8, 2018 at 2:15pm Military honors at Bay Pines Cemetery, 10000 Bay Pines Blvd, St. Petersburg, FL 33708. Immediately following will be fellowship and “eulogies” at The Brick Alley at Bradys’ BBQ at 340 Main St, Safety Harbor, FL 34695. Then a walk to the Safety Harbor pier for the spreading of ashes.