Dr. Francis J. Fisher, PhD

1919 – 2008

Beverly, MA – Dr. Francis J. Fisher, PhD, 89, of Palmer Rd, died Tuesday, September 30, 2008 in Day Kimball Hospital.  He was the loving husband of the late Gloria D. (Dumas) Fisher.  Born in Plainfield, CT, he was the son of the late William L and Sara M. (Foley) Fisher.  He had been a resident of Beverly, MA, since 1968, following residence in Manchester by the Sea, MA, from 1966.

Mr. Fisher Graduated from Putnam High School and worked then in industry.  He attended St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield, CT for two years prior to World War II.  He enlisted and served four years in the United States Coast Guard both ashore and afloat, from which service he was honorably discharged with the rate of Petty Officer Pharmacists Mate First Class.  He was entitled to wear the American Area, Asiatic Pacific, Coast Guard Good Conduct, and World War II Victory Ribbons.  He was a member of the American Legion.  Prepared to reenter collegiate education at the YMCA Institute in Providence, RI, attended, and graduated from Providence College with the A.B. Cum Laude.  He received the M.A. degree from the University of Connecticut with a sixth year Professional Diploma in education and the Doctor of Philosophy degree from the Graduate School with skills in sociology and statistics.  He spent thirty-seven years in public education as a teacher, guidance counselor, and high school principal.  He served as Principal of Killingly High School in Danielson, CT and of Beverly High School in Beverly, MA, for a total of thirty-two years in the latter capacity.  He retired from the

Principalship of Beverly High School in 1987.

Mr. Fisher was a member of several local, regional, and national professional associations.  He served as Chairman of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association Golf Tournament committee for several years.  He was elected to Delta Epsilon Sigma, a national scholastic honor society for graduates of Catholic colleges and universities.

Francis is survived by his brother, Dr. William T. Fisher of Thompson; and his sister, Mary Dinsdale of Putnam.  He was predeceased by two brothers, Louis F. Fisher of Cranston, RI, and Charles E. Fisher of Mansfield Center, CT.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Mr. Fisher’s family for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 am, Saturday October 4, 2008 in St. Mary Church of the Visitation, 218 Providence St., Putnam.  Burial with Military Honors to follow in St. Mary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations, may be made to the Beverly Hospital, 85 Herrick Street, Beverley, MA 0195 or the Daughters of the Holy Spirit , 72 Church Street, Putnam, CT 06260.  Arrangements entrusted to the Gilman Funeral Home.