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Thomas Fischer Obituary
Thomas grew up in the west end of Louisville attending Holy Cross Elementary School and Flaget High School where he first met the Xaverian Brothers. After high school Thomas joined the Brothers studying at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., where he majored in English concentrating on Shakespeare. After graduating in 1967, Thomas went on to teach English, religion, and cinema at Xaverian High School in Brooklyn, NY where he monitored the yearbook and began developing lifelong friendships with students and faculty members. In the early days of his career, Brother Thomas was known as Brother Xavier, taking the name in honor of the Jesuit missionary who traveled to India and the Far East. He adopted the 70s spirit donning bell-bottomed pants, wearing his hair long, and even sporting a beard. During this time he studied at night to earn a master's degree in cinema from New York University. During his summers he studied at Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT, earning a master's degree in English.
In the mid-70s Thomas withdrew from the brotherhood and left his beloved New York, relocating to Lynchburg, VA where he directed Campbell County's ongoing education program for teachers of social studies and English. Thomas earned a PhD in education from the University of Virginia launching a career of educational leadership which took him to Chicago, IL, and Ankara and Istanbul, Turkey. While in Wheaton, IL he taught at West Chicago Community High School and later retiring from Lyons Township High School in La Grange, IL. Thomas traveled to Ankara, Turkey on a Fulbright Scholarship. After retiring he chaired the English Department of a Turkish/American school in Istanbul.
Having overcome polio at an early age, Thomas was eager to stay fit through regular exercise and yoga. Being an avid swimmer, Thomas also enjoyed scuba diving which took him to destinations yet to be discovered. While in Chicago he joined the Smelts, a competitive swim team, and participated and won several medals in the International Gay Olympics Games.
Thomas' passion for learning was matched only by his love for travel, developing and nurturing lasting friendships along the way. He visited and studied in dozens of countries during his career, bringing back memories and experiences he shared with his students in the classroom. Thomas' apartment was filled with those memories, treasures he had collected while exploring the world. In all his traveling and exploring this great world of ours, Thomas never met a stranger.
Students and friends have described Thomas as gifted, intelligent and hip, a friend and mentor, having a zest for life with a constant quest for knowledge. He loved the arts from jazz to opera and was drawn to big city life for what it had to offer.
Thomas is predeceased by his parents, Firmin Casimir and Dorothy Louise of Louisville; and his brother, Robert Joseph of Eagle Rock, CA.
He is survived by his siblings, Judith Ann Ventrella of Punta Gorda, FL, Linda Marie Finn of Naples, FL, Anthony Edward of Alta Loma, CA, James Gregory of Zephyrhills, FL, Martin Christopher of Sanford, FL and Kenneth Eugene of Apopka, FL.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 21, 2011 at the home of James Markey, 950 West Berwyn Avenue, Unit 3, Chicago, IL 60640. Please RSVP to jrmar [email protected].
Thomas appreciated the "WHAS Crusade for Children and "Kids In Need of Desks." Donations can be made in his name at whascrusade.org and unicefusa.org/kind. "Carpe diem."
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Fischer
Papi
May 9, 2024
Dr fisher really did hate the word thing and stopped us everytime we said thing and made us replace it
Pam Payne
February 12, 2024
Thomas,
Next month will be the 13th year since your passing. It is still hard to comprehend. I miss you, my brilliant, exuberant, and dear friend. Much has transpired in my life since then, but I think of you often and cherish our time in Daytona and Louisville-especially that last evening when we drove around the city with your cousin, retracing the places you lived and treasured. I am deeply grateful for your friendship and camaraderie-and I still miss you greatly nearly 13 years later. I´m not in a hurry to leave this world, but I will be delighted to see you again whenever that time comes. Pray for me, dearest companion, and know that I am better for having known you!
Love,
Pam
Nika (Barnish) Johnson
April 17, 2012
Dr. Fischer was a teacher surpassed by no one. One of the greatest lessons I learned from him is to look beyond what is right in front of you. His love of "people watching" while sitting at a cafe has now become one of my favorite past-times after we were encouraged by him to do this for extra-credit. What a wonderful life he had created for himself. I am saddened to only now hear of this great loss. Thank you, Dr. Fischer, for all you have given us!
Mark Dygdon
September 6, 2011
I was saddened to hear this news in the LTHS Alumni Newsletter. Dr. Fischer was one of the best teachers I ever had. My friends and I still often talk about his high expectations for his students because he saw potential in them they didn't yet know existed.
I will always remember his disgust for the word "thing" and how he challenged us to never use it in our writing and instead replace it with a noun of substance. Over 15 years later, I always think of him when I find myself doing that.
Does anyone know where one could get copies of some of his writings? I remember some of the poems that he read to us were extraordinarily powerful, and it would be a shame if that literature passed away with him.
July 2, 2011
Can anyone say what happened to Thomas? There was nothing noted in his obituary and the last I spoke to him he didn't mention any ailments.
June 20, 2011
I spent Thomas's second to last day here on this planet with him in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. To hear all the other remembrances it all has a common thread. His love of life & his love of learning were so evident. We were all so fortunate to have him as a companion on this journey through what life brings us. I know we all are that much better for his love & truly regret his absence.
Melih Narli
June 4, 2011
I met Thomas at The Fulbright Scholarship Meeting in Aurora, IL in 1997. I was working as an exchange teacher at Barrington Middle School. When I learned that he would come to my school in the following year, I immediately started to give information about Turkey. How would I know that he had already been there four times before? He started to talk about Istanbul and his previous experiences.
When he was working at TED Ankara High School his students and the colleagues loved him very much. We spent so many times together in Ankara. He joined many family meetings. He was also with us when we were in summer holidays.
He was like a big brother to me. He always knew that he had a home in Ankara that he can stay even we are not there. I wish we could have seen him in his last visit to Istanbul.
He enjoyed his life, who can forget his detailed travel observations that I always told him to collect them as a book.
I am very sorry to lose such a nice friend, brother.
But I am very glad to know him and have beautiful memories that will never be forgotten.
All family members were expecting to see him many more times in the future.
We loved him and will remember him till the end of our lives.
Melih Narli
Jeanine Ashley
May 22, 2011
I was so glad to be at the memorial service for Thomas. It was such a wonderful gathering and a tribute to his ability to connect with people and make them feel his friendship. The stories were so Thomas and I loved hearing them all. I know he would have enjoyed it. I'm just glad that he was my friend.
Phil Perinelli
May 19, 2011
I met Thomas when I was a sophomore at Xaverian H.S. in Brooklyn in 1974, and eventually was one of the stalwarts who sweat it out with "Brother Tom" to produce our senior yearbook in 1977. I think that book still lives in infamy!! How much my life has been enriched knowing Thomas all these years. From emparting wisdom to an Italian teen in Brooklyn to singing "Alice's Restaurant" together on Thanksgiving, from going to wonderful plays in NYC to kicking back at the Jersey Shore, and so much more. He will always be one of my dearest friends.
You brought sunshine to our lives
Elizabeth Perinelli
May 19, 2011
Words were just one of Thomas's great passions in life. And in his passing, it is difficult to find the "right" words. He was my husband's greatest teacher and mentor. He brought joy and spirit to our many Thanksgivings together. He imparted bits of wisdom, to our sons and encouraged them to be open to theater, music and travel. We will miss him terribly but I believe he is keeping our son Vincent and sister Marguerite company as they watch over us. One of God's newest angels - We keep you in our hearts.
Bernadine Miller
May 18, 2011
Thomas and I met in Istanbul and had many wonderful times there. He always
wrote to me re: his trips around the
world. We both knew Dr. Eshwar in India.
Thomas was a dedicated, excellent teacher. I will miss his comments.
God Bless, Bernadine Miller
Cherie Beck
May 15, 2011
Dr. Fischer was one of my toughest teachers but also only one of two teachers that I actually remember and loved because he pushed me to do my best and taught me so much about what I was actually capable of if I put my mind to something. To read about what a full and wonderful life he had makes me proud to have had his mentorship even for such a short time. My sympathy goes out to all of his many friends and family
'Mrs. Lee'
May 12, 2011
It seems appropriate that we have pics of Thomas on his travels. I could not locate the ones from our Paris trip but here are some from his teaching stint in Turkey in 2005. As expected, he took advantage of his location to explore other worlds. His 'joie de vivre' and exuberance will be missed by all of his friends, acquaintances and family. In reading the comments, it is obvious Thomas never changed his persona depending on who he was with. He remained true to himself thereby sharing his real soul and personality with us all equally.
2005 Side trip to Egypt, Pyramids, when teaching in Turkey
Bonnie Lee
May 12, 2011
2005 Side trip to Egypt, the Nile, when teaching in Turkey
Bonnie Lee
May 12, 2011
Rebecca Russow
May 12, 2011
Dr. Fischer's name is often mentioned in our family of teachers as the teacher that "made you think. My son missed 28 days of high school his senior year - but only three 6 a.m. swim practices and three third period English classes! His rationale was "I don't need to go to school for my other classes. All I need to do is to pass the AP tests (which he did), but I can't recreate Dr. Fischer's class."
Tom held students to high standards, made them support their thoughts and didn’t coddle bright students. He challenged them to be the best they could be. I'm sure that his influence will be felt for many, many years to come.
My sympathy goes out to his close friends and family. The world is better for having him be a part of it.
Matthew Roob
May 6, 2011
Tom was a trusted friend. His passion for the arts and varied interests helped broaden my appreciation for them. I enjoyed his spirit, his knowledge and his smile.
Judi Muniz
May 6, 2011
I have felt blessed to have known Tom. We've met thru the Giglia and was and is part of our Family. I will truly missed you at the Giglia gathering. I can't imagine losing a blessing like you. Judi Muniz and Giglia Family
Onur Mucahitoglu
May 4, 2011
I met Thomas in 1990 in Istanbul . He had a great passion for life and for new things. He was not afraid of facing and taking his chance in new cultures and environments which were totally unknown to him. He always adapted to his new life successfully. Most importantly he was a great friend, we will miss him. Rest in peace! Onur, New York City 5.4.2011
Tiffany Kupkowski (Russow)
May 4, 2011
I feel fortunate to have had Dr. Fischer as a teacher and so sad to hear of his passing. His expectations for his students - though near impossible to attain - made his class among the best and definitely most memorable I've had.
Carol Henry
May 3, 2011
I saw Thom in action as a fellow teacher at LT and he had high expectations for all his students. He respected them and expected them to do their best. He was great to work with too. I know he had lots of adventures in retirement. A life exuberantly lived!
Lisa Small (Cotton)
May 3, 2011
Dr. Fischer was the best english teacher I ever had. He prepared me for college while I was a Jr at LT. May he rest in peace.. God Bless
Ruth Giles Ott
May 2, 2011
Thomas was my teammate on the Chicago Smelts. I so enjoyed his stimulating conversation. One day I was able to visit the high school where he taught, and I was so impressed with high degree of civility and scholarship his students displayed. I know it was Thomas's love of literature and also his belief in his students that drew these qualities out of them. He was such a man of letters and such a gentleman. Also an avid traveler. I am so sorry for everyone's loss. He was a very good man.
Kelly Queen
May 2, 2011
Thomas was an incredible man with such an amazing sense of adventure. I will fondly remember our trip to Savannah, GA where we walked the entire city, had our cocktails promptly at 4:00 pm, and made new friends along the way. I have always teased Thomas that the world was his hostel and I imagine he is in a most heavenly hostel now. No doubt exploring and arranging the cocktail hour. Rest in peace Thomas, my dear.
Nancy Richter
May 2, 2011
Dr. Fischer was one of our best-read faculty members and I always enjoyed sharing a new book title with him.
Kurt Schuett
May 2, 2011
Dr. Fischer was a major reason why I became an English teacher; he taught me to be intellectually curious...and to take chances in life. Now God has his own personal English teacher...not some substitute, but the best. Godspeed Dr. Fischer, Godspeed.
M. Coffey-Sears
May 2, 2011
I was honored to have been able to work with you. You were a great example of exemplary teaching and life long learning. You will be foreven missed.
Jane Campbell
May 2, 2011
Thom was a valued colleague and friend. I will always treasure our adventures in Turkey when Angela and I visited him in Kas. He will be remembered for his great spirit and zest for life.
Mike Muguruza
May 2, 2011
I wish I would have been able to meet you. You sounded like an incredible man.
Paul Woolley
May 1, 2011
Thom and I went through 4 yrs High School, 2 years Novitiate and 4 years of College together. We entered the Xaverian Brothers together. He taught me to play tennis in college. He was a dear friend. I was saddened to hear of his death. I offer my condolences to his loved ones in Louisville and Chicago.
Jan Stephenson
May 1, 2011
Thomas will be dearly missed by many. I will miss my friend, his support and the many great discussions yet to be had!! x
May 1, 2011
I knew Thomas only 4 months but felt like I knew him forever. He was a kind & caring man & meant so much to so many.
Joe Carlucci
May 1, 2011
Thanks for the life lessons.....see you in the next dimension...
John Stephenson
May 1, 2011
Thomas was a great friend and fun to spend time with. He will be missed by many; he left us too soon.
Kara Jensen
May 1, 2011
One of the best teachers out there! We will miss you.
Love
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