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John Fidler Obituary
John Harold Fidler II, 60, of Old Saybrook, CT, died suddenly Sunday, July 30 while hiking Mt. Katahdin in Maine with his family. Born February 18, 1957 in Hartford, CT, he was the son of John and Nellie Fidler. Raised in South Windsor, CT, John graduated from South Windsor High School in 1975 as an All-CVC basketball player and National Honor Society student. He holds a Bachelor's, Master's, and 6th Year in Education from the University of Connecticut. At the time of his death, John was still serving as Principal at East Hampton High School, in East Hampton, CT. He was a beloved member of the East Hampton Public Schools community, working as a special education teacher, athletic director, coach, assistant principal, and principal in his 27-year tenure. In his spare time, he was often found mountain biking, hiking and camping. He had a love for Martha's Vineyard, MA, spending many summers with his family on the island. He was a founding member of the UCONN Ultimate Frisbee Team, a club sport that is still running strong nearly 40 years later. His love of music was obvious as a Grateful Dead and jazz aficionado. Aside from his parents, John is survived by his wife Joan (Fontanella) Fidler, his sons Jack and Jeffrey Fidler, his three sisters and their spouses - Nancy and Eduardo Meza, Tracy and Skip Olander, and Gretchen and Herman Fuller, several cousins, nieces, and nephews, as well as his Boston Terriers Zoe and Joe. Public calling hours will be held Friday, August 4 from 4-8 pm at East Hampton High School, 15 North Maple Street, East Hampton, CT. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, August 5 at 11 am directly at St. Patrick's Church in East Hampton. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the John Fidler Memorial Scholarship Fund. Donations can be sent to East Hampton High School, John Fidler Memorial Scholarship, c/o Linda Malavasi, 15 North Maple Street, East Hampton, CT 06424. Spencer Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. To leave online condolences, please visit www.spencerfuneralhomeinc.com.
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Memories and Condolences
for John Fidler
Sponsored by the family.
Ajaz Fiazuddin
August 4, 2017
Our family was both shocked and heart-broken to learn of Mr. Fidler's death. I shook his hand and thanked him just recently at a high school event involving our daughter. He was as kind and humble in person as he was when addressing an auditorium of hundreds. Our children grew up in East Hampton schools and Mr. Fidler was a part of the core educators that made both the schools and town great. God Bless his family and give them peace. And may he rest in peace. Amen.
John - like a Stonewall at Manassas VA June 2017
Frank Demarais
August 4, 2017
Susan Goszewski
August 4, 2017
My thoughts and prayers are with you all, what an impact you have made on this world. I have the privilege of working with Jack - who is most definitely following in your footsteps. Sending love and support.
Brenda Snyder
August 4, 2017
All the tributes to John describe the young student John I knew when I worked at the South Windsor High School Library. He was smart, kind, athletic, thoughtful . . . and there was always that little spark of mischief. Bruce and I send our heartfelt sympathy and love to each of his family members.
Peter Evans
August 3, 2017
So sorry for your lossAwesome person.did so much for my son and family.great person.deserves renaming of the high school and scholarship in his name.big loss for our town.
Tim Leahy
August 3, 2017
Heartbreaking loss for the Fidler Family. Gentle souls one and all.
Lynn Jensen
August 3, 2017
Dear Joan,
I was so saddened to hear about John's passing. I send my deepest condolences to you and your boys.
With my deepest sympathy,
Lynn Jensen
August 3, 2017
Dear Joan and sons, it is with great sadness that we learned of John's untimely death. We remember him as a fun-loving and fair-minded devoted family man who we were glad to have known. May God bless you as go through these next trying days and months. Know that you are in our prayers.
Bill and Libby Cline
August 3, 2017
To Joan the boys and Johns Family:
I was soo saddened to hear of your sudden loss!
John will be remembered by me and so many of us for his positive attitude, his sense of humor, his kindness and generosity and for his never ending and genuine concern for others.
I will miss him very much.
I'll be keeping you all in my daily thoughts and prayers
Love always,
Tess Vasquenza
Michael Cowee
August 3, 2017
My thoughts and prayers go out to the extended Fidler family. John was a great friend and classmate. I will always treasure many fond memories I was able to share with him. John was truly a great person. I admired him a great deal.
Mike Cowee
August 3, 2017
My deepest condolences to John's family and friends. May you find strength in his legacy of love and community.
Terry Carbone
Mary & Roger LeBlanc
August 3, 2017
Dear Joan, Jack, Jeff, and family,
We are deeply saddened to learn about John because he was a wonderfully caring person, an exemplary teacher and administrator, and a loyal and supportive friend to our son, Jon, and many others.
As a best friend to our son Jon, John and he shared many memorable moments together as colleagues and friends. We remember when they spent an evening on the roof of the high school as part of a fundraiser for EHS, the Jon L. and John Fidler on the Roof event, just one of so many adventures they shared together.
We appreciate all that John did to support Jon, and we will pray for him, you, and everyone in the family.
With sadness,
Mary & Roger LeBlanc
John Fidler & the DUKES Ultimate Team [year unknown] photo provided by Larry Gianatti in 2008
Dennis Cronin
August 3, 2017
Gail Scranton & Family
August 3, 2017
He touched so many hearts over all these years. You were lucky to have such a special person in your lives, I am sure you will have many special memories to keep forever. Deepest sympathy to all.
Nancy Haggerty
August 3, 2017
I am so sorry for your loss, my heart breaks for your entire family. I worked with John at the EHMS and liked him tremendously from day one. Such a sweet, caring, devoted and likeable man. I will miss him but am so happy I had the chance to know him. Please cherish your memories of him, share them with anyone and everyone and he will live with you forever. God Bless and RIP John.
Mary Bloom
August 3, 2017
My fondest memory is probably the oldest memory I have growing up with The Fidlers. It was John's (5th? 6th?) birthday and we all went on the Ranger Andy Show. We were all so young then. Growing up on Saginaw Street in the 1960s was an adventure every day. Even though John and I haven't seen each other since the 1970s, his presence will be missed.
All my love and prayers to The Fidlers.
The Rare Connecticut Blue Bears
Sue Richards
August 2, 2017
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