Honoring the Memory
of Those
We Love

Condolences

• February 03, 2024

  Cheryl and Robert David

  We were so sorry to learn of John's passing. He will always be remembered as not only an exceptional musician and band director, but as a proud father and devoted husband. His loving devotion to Dolly, as her illness progressed, was an inspiration to all who knew them. Some people make a real difference in the lives of others. John was one of those exceptional souls. God speed, Friend. Cheryl & Bob David

• February 02, 2024

  Karen Kosiarek

  Terri, Mike, Dave and Tracy, I am so saddened by your dad's passing. He meant a lot to me all those years growing up as neighbors and friends and in the years beyond when I would visit my parents and bump into your parents . He and your mom - your whole family - were a true blessing in my early life. May perpetual light shine upon him. God grant you peace and comfort in your memories of him and your mom.

• January 21, 2024

  Kathy Cunning

  My condolences to his family. Great memories being part of the SA band under his direction. Also for his great teaching abilities which my son had him personally and he too shared great memories being part of the SABand. Truly an amazing man

• January 21, 2024

  john hadgkiss

  John and I are brothers of Alpha Phi Delta. I enjoyed his company at many alumni events. He was a great human being.

• January 20, 2024

  Kathleen Wilhelm

  He wanted us all to be the best of the best in life!

• January 20, 2024

  Kathleen Wilhelm

  One of the best mentors! Loved by all!

• January 20, 2024

  Clem Rolin

  I send my most sincere condolences John's family. John was still teaching elementary instrumental at Montour, when I took my first job there, teaching 7-8 band. He was a GREAT help to me in my first year of teaching. He was an outstanding music educator and performer. I played many gigs with John, and we continued our friendship at PMEA events. John was a charter member of the West Hills Symphonic Band in 1967. As the current conductor of the WHSB, we are grateful for his vision. The group is in its 56th season.

• January 20, 2024

  Bobby & Denise Brown

  Chief Fisher - Our Thoughts and Prayers are with you and your family. May the Peace of God Comfort You God Bless Bobby & Denise Brown

• January 20, 2024

  John Heath MD

  My condolences to the family of a fine teacher who helped instill both an experience of excellence and sense of pride in the group and individual accomplishments, beyond " just teaching music" to awkward, adolescent South Allegheny high school musicians like me. Though life circumstance and a self recognition of insufficient innate musical ability led me away from western PA and a life in music, Mr. Fisher's impact on my development as a person striving for integrity has remained over decades. I am a better person - and the world a better place - for having been touched and taught by this man. Such are the eternal rewards for educators like him: to continue to beneficially impact us in this life. R.I.P.

• January 20, 2024

  Dr. Rosemarie Piccioni

  Mr. Fisher was one of the most influential and important people in my musical career. We all grew as musicians and people as members of the SA band. Thanks for sharing your joy, Mr. Fisher. My condolences to the Fisher family.

• January 19, 2024

  Don Yanity

  Mr. Fisher was more then just a great band director, he was a life coach. He taught me " mediocre stinks" and be the best you can be in all that you do, and I did. Thank you for being a force in my life and RIP.

• January 19, 2024

  Bob Forney

  RIP Mr Fisher, SA '74

• January 19, 2024

  Beth Criste Pell

  Sending thoughts and prayers to Mr. Fisher's family, friends and the students who had the honor to be taught by him. He will truly be missed.

• January 19, 2024

  Ken Schleifer

  John C. Fisher was a major inspiration in the lives of all of his former students who were fortunate enough to be under his tutelage. John was my mentor who inspired and encouraged me to follow in his footsteps and attend Duquesne University to obtain a B.S. in Music Education. He is the reason that I enjoyed a 38 year career as a public school band director (now happily retired). John was my private drum teacher at Progressive Music in middle school, my SAHS band director, my student teaching sponsor at SAHS while attending DU, my musical colleague who provided me with many opportunities to perform at the Twin Coaches in Belle Vernon and many other venues around the Greater Pgh area, my mentor throughout my formative years, and my friend. Although I will not be there to attend the viewings and funeral service in person to share many great memories of our beloved SAHS Band Director, I will definitely be there in spirit and mind! RIP J.C. Fisher

• January 19, 2024

  Nancy Losteter

  He was a great influence in my life, especially for the military, with his statement about being on time: 'To arrive early is be on time, to be on time is to be late, and to be late is unacceptable." I am so grateful that he was instrumental (pun intended) in starting the band program for South Allegheny. He also gave me some friendly harassment at one of the Alumni Band Festival performances when he asked me who gave me a piccolo and said I could play it. Mr. Fisher thanks for being a friend to my parents, pushing all of us to be better players and human beings, and for all the memories of band camps, performances (Disney: half-time show & in FL) and just being yourself. I wouldn't be who I am today without your influence in the classroom, on the field, & in life in general. Nancy Ann (Bobiak) Losteter, flute 1969-present.

• January 19, 2024

  Rena J Fry

  I'm so thankful to have been a band kid for 4 years at SA. Mr. Fisher had high expectations for everyone and pushed us to be great. Who could forget his iconic signs that hung in the band room about being mediocre? He instilled teamwork, discipline, pride and a high level of effort in our band- traits that have carried me far in my adult life. My positive experiences in high school band help me to this day, as the parent of my own "band kid" and as a member of my local Community band. I think of him often and I will never forget all he did for me. I know there are thousands of former students who feel the same. With heartfelt condolences to his family, Rena (Johnson) Fry

• January 19, 2024

  Kevin Hindes

  I owe a great deal of thanks and appreciation for what Mr. Fisher taught while taking drum lessons with him from 5th-10th grade (a long time ago!) at Sprat Music. I've been a professional musician to some degree since turning 18 and his instruction is the foundation of my playing. I so appreciate all he had to offer. I still have some of the books we worked through together. I probably had ADHD as a kid so it's funny, on some pages he would write in big letters, "THINK!" and on others, "DON'T THINK!". I know he had to have a lot of patience with me because I didn't practice nearly as much as I should have. But I think he believed I had a little talent and he put a lot in this head and hands of mine that I didn't know I was learning. Thanks Mr. Fisher for all you gave me. I'm glad I got to play in front of years later ( a couple years ago at a Christmas Church Concert). I've been fortunate enough to have so many amazing experiences and see so many new places because of music, and it wouldn't have been possible without the time I spent learning from you. -Kevin Hindes

• January 19, 2024

  Kathleen Brady

  Mr. Fisher h found his calling and was an amazing teacher. He could take a good joke and enjoy everyone's company yet kick those butts when someone was using their music on the field by the end of band camp. To the Fisher Family, I am so very sorry for your loss. It's a great loss to us as his students and an even greater loss to you all. May the perpetual light shine upon him for he has for sure made it into Heaven. Kathleen (Stegman) Brady

• January 19, 2024

  Regan (Schreiber) Katz

  My thoughts and prayers to his family during this difficult time. Mr. Fisher was the reason that I continued with marching and concert band in HS at TJ. He was a force, but he made you a better musician. May he rest easy.

• January 19, 2024

  Tim McNelis

  I'll never forget those years in the TJ jazz band. Music has always been important to be, and Mr Fisher had a major influence. He was also a man who respected his students when they were serious. RIP

• January 18, 2024

  Bel Rodriguez De Leon

  "God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted." ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬ Our deepest and most sincere condolences to the Fisher family.

• January 18, 2024

  Don Lovre

  Great teacher, better human being. I was going to play football and skip the band. He called my Mom to see if she could persuade me toward band...I am glad he did. Nothing but great memories. Thank you Mr. Fisher, RIP!

• January 18, 2024

  Margaret Etzel DiLullo

  He was my band director for my high school years at SA High.. He was a wonderful teacher and mentor. I just loved him. Thank you for being in my life.

• January 18, 2024

  Beth and Donna

  We loved having John and Dolly as neighbors. They truly loved each other. We are sure they are reunited and their love is everlasting!! In our thoughts and prayers for the family...

• January 18, 2024

  Evelyn Csokuly Sistrunk

  I am so grateful to have been a student of John C. Fisher! You rarely find this caliber of teacher. South Allegehny will never forget how he raised up our band from a rag tag, student directed group of teenagers to a proud and accomplished award winning high school band. SAHSGMB!

• January 18, 2024

  Danielle Bates

  To his family, I am so very sorry for the loss of Mr. Fisher. He was by far my favorite teacher at South Allegheny. I was in the colorguard in the band and graduated in 1990. I want you to know how much he impacted so many young peoples lives, and fostered their love for music. He was truly a wonderful man.

• January 18, 2024

  Nancy Kress

  It has been and honor and pleasure to work, not only for Mr. Fisher, but also Mrs. Fisher. He will be missed. Very sorry to hear about your loss please take care. Nancy Kress Paramount Sr. Liveing

• January 18, 2024

  Deborah Takacs

  John Fisher was my mentor and inspiration. If it was not for him, I would not be the person that I am today and would not still be playing percussion, He believed in me and encouraged me at at time when "girls did not play drums". He never gave up on me and never let the boys get the best of me!! Later in life we met up again and he encourage me once more to start giving lessons, which I still do to this day. Being able to spend time with him at the SA Alumni Band events has always been a highlight in my life. I simply cannot say enough good things about this wonderful man. You will be missed Mr. Fisher.

• January 18, 2024

  Micki Meigs

  Mr Fisher was rhe greatest. He w a s such a wonderful man and band director. So so sorry for your loss.

• January 18, 2024

  Beth Gaydos Cadman

  I am so sorry to hear of the loss of you father, grandfather and great grandfather. I am keeping you all in my prayers Mr. Fisher was the best! He was a big influence to all of us that had the privilege of having him as a band director. He definitely was an influence in my life during my band days at South Allegheny. I will always remember him saying "Mediocrity Stinks" those words have always stuck with me. Mr. Fisher, I know you won't be there to direct the Alumni Band at this year's band festival but I know you will be there in Spirit. Fly high with Angels and let them all hear you play those drums up there.

• January 18, 2024

  John Truby

  I was in musicals, he was music director. I also assisted him on the Junior High Wrestling team at SA High. RIP, John.

• January 18, 2024

  Kathleen Beck

  What a musician. I did many shows through SAPs and everyone was great because of him. My husband and I also ran into him and his wife in Aruba of all places! He made everyone who knew him feel special. Ty for being in my life John Fisher