Obituary of Pastor James R. Fisher

Amsterdam/Montgomery County Pastor James R. "Jim" Fisher, 76, of Jackson Street, passed away peacefully Friday, September 4, 2009 at St. Mary's Hospital in Amsterdam with his loving family by his side. He was born in Middletown, NY April 23, 1933 a son of the late James M. and Blanche I. Ballard Fisher. Jim was raised in Middletown and attended schools in that area. Following high school, he served his country with the US Air Force during the Korean War era. He later moved to Amsterdam and married the former Felicia Hill on June 28, 1975. Jim was the Associate Pastor of the Step of Faith Church on VanDerveer Street in Amsterdam for several years. He enjoyed his ministry and would often bring his family with him to area Retirement Homes and to the Tryon School for Boys where they preached the gospel through song and scripture. Jim was a happy individual who loved to laugh and tell jokes. He was also a loving husband, father, grand-father, uncle and friend who will be sadly missed by all. His loving family includes his wife Felicia Hill Fisher, his children, James Jay Fisher, Iona "Oney" Fisher, Michael Fisher and his wife Heather, Barbara Fisher Rivera, Shannon Fisher Meher and Jennifer Fisher, his grandchildren Andrew, Lori Lynn, Jackie, Michael, Jennifer, Jacob, Ashley, Ana-Marie, Alec, Gwyneth, Johnathan, Isaac, Israel, Gabriel, Phil and Emily, his sister Blanche Fisher, and his brothers, Ralph Fisher, John Fisher and Donald "Doc" Fisher. Several great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews also survive. In addition to his parents, Jim was predeceased by 3 brothers, George, Roy and Richard. Funeral Services will be at 1:30PM on Tuesday, September 8, 2009 at the Step of Faith Church, 54 Van Derveer Street, Amsterdam, NY with Pastor Clyde Clymer, officiating. The family will receive relatives and friends prior to the services on Tuesday from 12:00 to 1:00PM at Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Avenue, Amsterdam. Following cremation, a Committal Service will be held on Saturday, September 12, 2009 at 1:00PM in Pine Grove Cemetery, Mohawk Drive, Tribes Hill, NY. Contributions in Jim's memory may be made to Community Hospice of Amsterdam, 246 Manny's Corners Road, Amsterdam, NY 12010 or to the American Cancer Society, 260 Osborne Road, Loudonville, NY 12211. Please visit the family's guestbook, online, at www.brbsfuneral.com.