Joseph F. Fletcher

Joseph F. Fletcher

Naples FL

Living fully each of his 85 years six months and ten days, Joe Fletcher passed away in Naples FL early on the morning of October 5, 2012.

The son of Joseph Fletcher and Mary Connor of Philadelphia, PA and a proud 1945 graduate of West Catholic high school, where he lettered in track and field as well as tennis which became a lifetime pursuit.

Four days after completing high school he was inducted into the US Army Air Corps, serving two years in Germany as part of the occupation force. Back in the US he found work in a grocery store where he met his beloved Dolores, daughter of grocers Rudolph and Josephine Bussone. Joe and Dolores married on December 15, 1947 at Lansdowne, PA. On the advice of his dear aunt Helen Connor, Joe entered the insurance industry, first as a file clerk while attending Temple University from which he graduated in 1951. He went on to earn the top designations of Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter and Chartered Life Underwriter as he worked for Farm Bureau, Nationwide, US Life, St. Paul Companies and MSI (now Country Companies). Climbing the corporate ladder led Joe and Dolores to move their family to Illinois, Ohio, Texas and Minnesota, raising each of their children with love, tolerance and respect.

Dolores and Joe relocated to Naples, FL in 1992 to enjoy its sunshine and sandy beaches for many happy years, first at Sandpiper Bay and then Crown Pointe.

Dolores passed away in 2000. Throughout the years among Joe's favorite things were early morning games of tennis, boating, fishing and the occasional cigar and sip of Canadian whiskey. Always active in his community, Joe served for ten years (1997 to 2007) as president of the Crown Pointe Community Association. His keen interest in current events as well as the big questions of faith and philosophy led him to enroll in numerous university courses and to teach Sunday school classes at his church.

Joe is survived in Naples by his very special friend Pat Solie. He also has three sons: Joseph and his wife Pauline of Toronto, Ontario; Michael and his wife Ann of Hudson WI; David and his partner Al of St. Paul, MN. Joe also has four grandchildren: Logan, Amanda, Lindsey and Eden and a greatgrandson, Asher, son of Amanda, all of whom were enjoyed and loved for the unique individuals they are. Joe's brother Thomas and wife Eleanor live in Burlington, NC.

A service will be held in St. Paul, MN.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joe's memory to Avow Hospice, 1095 Whippoorwill Lane, Naples, FL 34105.