GENE FISCHER

1921 - 2019

FISCHER, GENE
The Honorable Judge Henry Eugene 'Gene' Fischer, 97, went home to Jesus on December 29, 2018.
Gene was born in Seymour, Indiana on August 25, 1921 to Henry G. and Marion (née Carnine) Fischer as the fifth of their six children. The Fischers survived the Great Depression and by the early 40s had migrated to Hollywood, Florida, where they flourished. Gene attended South Broward High School and upon graduation he eagerly enlisted in the Army during World War II and was stationed in the Panama Canal Zone. After discharge he attended the University of Miami on the GI Bill, achieving a law degree in 1951. He practiced trial law in Dade and Broward Counties until 1973 when he was elected a circuit judge for and in Broward County where he served until retirement in 1991.
Just a few months into his law career, Gene met Catherine Grow, a young Kentucky belle working in the Dade County Courthouse clerk's office, fell in love and married her in 1952 to be her devoted husband until her death in 2013. They lived in Hollywood then North Miami, then settled in Ft. Lauderdale where they raised six children. A loving husband, father, brother, son, uncle, grandfather, and friend, Gene derived great joy from spending time with his large extended family and serving his church and community. He enjoyed outdoor activities, horsemanship, woodworking and reading. He was committed to the fullest education of all his children, grandchildren, and many other family members and friends, and delighted to hear of their resulting accomplishments. Gene was a righteous man by way of his devout faith in Our Savior Jesus Christ, ever praising Our Father God for His boundless blessings, especially his beloved wife, Cathy. Through his lifetime he was a member of many fine Baptist churches, and in his final years joined the Catholic church to share in the religious practice of his wife and children.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Marion Fischer; his wife, Catherine Fischer; and his siblings, Byron Fischer, Arthur Fischer, Kay Shipley, Carolyn Zinkil and Elizabeth Graves. He is survived by his sons, Philip Fischer (Cathy), Stephen Fischer (Cyndi), and Timothy Fischer; his daughters, Deborah Rugg (Tony), Mary Brantley (Scot) and Susan Smith (Gary); his foster children, Jeanne Fischer (Byron) and David Grow; 19 wonderful grandchildren; and seven beautiful great-grandchildren.
Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated on Saturday January 26, 2019 at 11:00 am at Blessed Trinity Catholic Church, 5 SE 17th Street, Ocala, FL. Our family will be honored by your prayers for Gene's soul. Your kind donations in his memory are directed to Sheridan House Family Ministries, ATTN: Dr. Bob Barnes, P.O. Box 550007, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33355,
www.sheridanhouse.org.