Alfred Jay Fischer

Alfred Jay Fischer passed into the hands of our Lord Jesus Christ at 9:25 a.m. on Saturday (June 6, 2009). He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, and one sister. He is survived by a sister, Glorianne Carlin of Hilton Head, SC, his children, Mark G. Fischer of Arabela, NM, Estelle E. Fischer of Cincinnati, OH, and Mary Lou Fritz of Cincinnati, OH, 6 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren, as well as 3 stepchildren John Krock, Susan Woschkolup, and Darren Krock. He leaves behind a rich and endless extended family of friends, business associates, and acquaintances formed over 54 years in the Cambridge, Ohio area. Born August 21, 1924 in Covington, KY to a proud and hard working family of German descent, Jay acquired the independence and hard working heritage from them, which helped make our country great and prosperous. Enlisting in the United States Navy in the summer of 1941, before the attack on Pearl Harbor, Jay quickly moved up the enlisted ranks and earned designation as a Hard Hat Salvage and Rescue Diver, as well as designation as an Aviation Machinist Mate, Petty Officer 3rd Class. His ship, the USS Savannah earned 4 WWII Battle Stars , including supporting the landings at North Africa and Salerno, where his ship was heavily damaged by the largest bomb ever to hit a United States ship; a 2000lb, radio guided aerial glide bomb delivered by the Germans. The USS Savannah lost over 270 sailors that day with scores more wounded. Jay Fischer, as part of the ship's Damage Control organization helped to ensure the ship was not lost and that the Savannah's crew and Officers were able to live and fight another day. Jay Fischer was one from America's Greatest Generation. Following the end of WWII, Jay worked for his family's electrical business but his ambition and strong independence found him opening, with the help of investors, a Dry Cleaner's in Cambridge in 1955. He built a very successful business and added others over the years including Jay's Tara Marine, running the Salt Fork State Park Marina and a much loved cruise and booze lake catering concession. A devout Catholic, and Knight of Columbus, Jay donated countless hours and money to local charities and church functions. A local business icon and respected community leader, Jay was a major force in the effort to revitalize downtown Cambridge with among other things, the now famous Main Street Tree program. Many of Cambridge's past and current residents got their first job working for Jay Fischer. The only consolation in this huge loss to our community and lives, is the fact that he is resting with our Lord in Heaven. Family and friends may call on Friday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Thorn-Black Funeral Home, Cambridge. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday (June 13, 2009) at 9 a.m. at St. Benedict Catholic Church with Father Robert Borer officiating. Jay will be interred at his family's plot at Mother of God Cemetery in Latonia, KY.