NEIL JOSEPH FISCHER, SR.
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, was 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. 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 U.S.S. Richard S. Bull Destroyer Escort 402 in the Pacific Theater.
Neil worked at Joe’s Place on Victory Drive with his Uncle Joe Gildea from the age of nine and later at Gildea’s Bar with other family members after his Uncle died in 1946. Neil also ran a candy making business with his brother in law George Tabakian for a short time, but he made the automobile business his career. In Savannah, Neil worked at Ray Clanton Motors, McDonald Lincoln Mercury, Dixie Chrysler Plymouth, and DeRenne Chrysler Plymouth, and was the proprietor of Fischer Auto Parts on Waters Avenue and 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. Neil was an avid fan of the Georgia Bulldogs, and some of his happiest times were at the Georgia games. Through the years, Neil developed strong relationships with the coaches and many of the players.
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; his children: Kim Peters (Oliver), Neil Fischer, Jr. (Judy), Robert Fischer (Jayne), 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.
READ Funeral Mass booklet
SEARCH the WORLD WAR II Memorial
VIEW all 43 pages of photos from Neil’s photo album from his time on the U.S.S. Richard S. Bull Destroyer Escort 402
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Neil Joseph Fischer, Sr.
Granddaughters and daughter tossed flowers on the vault as a fond farewell.
Neil Joseph Fischer, Sr. - Obituary
NEIL JOSEPH FISCHER, SR. SAVANNAH, GEORGIA -Neil Joseph Fischer, Sr., 84, of Savannah, Georgia, husband of Mary Ann Saraf Fischer, died Thursday morni...
Neil Joseph Fischer
Neil Joseph Fischer circa 1990.
Search the World War II Registry for Neil Fischer - Savannah, Georgia to find out more about Neil's service and see a photo of him at age 26 while still in the Navy Reserves.
http://www.wwiimemorial.com/Neil Joseph Fischer, Sr.
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, was 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. 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.
Neil worked at Joe's Place on Victory Drive with his Uncle Joe Gildea from the age of nine and later at Gildea's Bar with other family members after his Uncle died in 1946. Neil also ran a candy making business with his brother in law George Tabakian for a short time, but he made the automobile business his career. In Savannah, Neil worked at Ray Clanton Motors, McDonald Lincoln Mercury, Dixie Chrysler Plymouth, and DeRenne Chrysler Plymouth, and was the proprietor of Fischer Auto Parts on Waters Avenue and 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. Neil was an avid fan of the Georgia Bulldogs, and some of his happiest times were at the Georgia games. Through the years, Neil developed strong relationships with the coaches and many of the players.
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 in 1973. 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 Joseph Fischer, Jr. (Judy), Robert Anthony Fischer (Jayne), Michael Steven Fischer (Gabriella); grandchildren: Oliver Christopher and Ashley Erin Peters, Catherine Margaret, Patrice Hope, Robert Anthony, Geoffrey Edward, Patrick, Alexis Nicole and Mary Sophia Fischer; brothers, Francis (Bootsie) and Charles (Chuck) Fischer, and many nephews and nieces.
