Neil Joseph Fischer, Sr.

Tributes~Neil Joseph Fischer, Sr.

Neil Joseph Fischer, Sr.
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Date of Birth: 
October 6 1925
Date of Death: 
April 15 2010

Written by Neil's daughter, Kim Marie Fischer Peters.

Neil Joseph Fischer, son of John George Fischer and Catherine Margaret Gildea, was born October 6, 1925 in Savannah, Georgia. The third of four children born to Johnny and Katie Fischer, Neil was baptized at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Savannah, served as an altar boy at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, and attended Marist School for Boys.

Neil’s roots run deep in Georgia soil, his ancestors having secured land grants in the Colony of Georgia in 1763 and his 6th great grandfather having served in the American Revolutionary War. As a young man, Neil showed Tennessee Walking horses with Bob and Edith Jenkins competing in events throughout the South. It was the Jenkins who introduced him to his future bride, Mary Ann Saraf whom he married at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in 1951.

Neil was a member of the "Greatest Generation," proudly serving his country in World War II as a Gunners Mate 2nd Class, U.S. Navy aboard the Destroyer Escort Richard S. Bull in the Pacific Theater.

Until his marriage in 1951, Neil worked at Gildea’s Bar on Victory Drive with his Uncle Joe Gildea and other family members, but he made the automobile business his career. In Savannah, Neil worked at Ray Clanton Motors, then DeRenne Chrysler Plymouth under Ted Hanel, and later Dixie Chrysler Plymouth under Zack Evans, and was the proprietor of Fischer Auto Parts originally located on Waters Avenue and then on DeRenne Avenue. In 1970, Neil acquired Leesburg Chrysler Plymouth in Lake County, Florida, where he was known as "The round man with the square deal."

Neil enjoyed fishing, bowling, golf, and flying. His love for flying led him to get his pilot's license in 1961 and his own plane soon thereafter. Neil was an avid fan of the Georgia Bulldogs and his son, Neil Jr., often took him to games.

Neil had a big heart and was always helping others. While in Leesburg, he helped sponsor a large Vietnamese family rescued during the fall of Saigon. Today, all are faith-filled, proud, hard working Americans.

Neil is preceded in death by his brother John (Buddy) Fischer, his sister Henrietta (Retta) Russell, and two grandsons. Neil is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mary Ann Saraf Fischer; his children: Kim Marie Peters (Oliver), Neil J. Fischer, Jr. (Judy), Robert A. Fischer (Jayne), M. Steven Fischer (Gabriella); grandchildren: Christopher and Ashley Peters, Catherine, Patrice, Robert, Geoffrey, Patrick, Alexis and Mary Sophia Fischer; brothers, Francis (Bootsie) and Charles (Chuck) Fischer, and many nephews and nieces.

Neil and Bob Jenkins can be seen showing their horses in this youtube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUECPpNxl9k

Media data: 
Place of Birth: 
Savannah, Georgia, United States
Place of Death: 
Savannah, Georgia, United States
Primary State of Residence: 
Savannah, Georgia, United States

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