John M. Fisher

1925 - 12

John M. Fisher, 91, of Latrobe, passed away peacefully Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2017, in Excela Health Latrobe Hospital. He was born Dec. 8, 1925, in Buckhannon, W.Va., a son of the late Cary S. and Helen (Grigg) Fisher. John grew up in Carnegie, where he graduated from Carnegie High School in 1943. He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the Army Air Corps. He then attended the University of Pittsburgh, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering in 1949. John began his career in Latrobe at Kennametal Inc. in 1953 as an assistant plant engineer and left in 1982 as director of facilities and services. After leaving Kennametal, he became proprietor of 18th Century Hardware in Derry with his wife, Betty, and retired in 1998. During his retirement, he enjoyed repairing lamps at H&S Furniture in Latrobe. John was a life member of the Latrobe Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge No. 907, was an active member of the former Latrobe Jaycee's, Latrobe Rotary Club, Salvation Army Advisory Board, Eastern Vo-Tech School Authority and president of the Greater Latrobe School Authority. John was an avid reader, enjoyed playing bridge, golf and bowling and seemed to have a knack for repairing anything and everything. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Betty R. Fisher; his son-in-law, James Grote; his brother, Cary S. Fisher; and his sister, Nancy F. Woessner. He is survived by his three daughters, Nancy Kuchta and her husband, Charles, of Latrobe, Sandra Grote, of Pittsburgh, and Barbara Freas and her husband, Daniel, of Elkhorn, Wis.; seven grandchildren, Matthew (Barbara) Kuchta, Allison (Kevin) Gilpatrick, Kelly Grote, James Grote and Travis, Gregory and Benjamin Freas. He also had three great-grandchildren, Hayden and Hadley Kuchta and Avery Gilpatrick.
Friends will be received from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday in the HARTMAN-GRAZIANO FUNERAL HOME INC., 1500 Ligonier St., Latrobe. Funeral services will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday in the funeral home chapel with Pastor Jonathan Fehl officiating. Military honors accorded by the Latrobe Derry Veterans Honor Guard will be held immediately following the service in the funeral home. Private interment will be in Unity Cemetery, Unity Township.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Adams Memorial Library, 1112 Ligonier St., Latrobe, PA 15650; or to a charity of one's choice. To post an online condolence, please visit www.hartman-grazianofuneralhome.com.