Fr. Alfred John (A.J.) Fisher
Fr. Alfred John (A.J.) Fisher, 95, passed away on April 21, 2023, in Anchorage, Alaska. He was born January 22, 1928, of Paul and Gertrude (Ziegler) Fisher in Lamartine, Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin. He was an active priest for 64 years.
Dairy farming was his culture as was rural Catholic religion. His education started in a one room schoolhouse, followed by attendance at St. Mary’s Springs Catholic high school and a philosophy degree from St. Francis Seminary in Milwaukee, WI. He studied theology at Regina Cleri Seminary in Regina Saskatchewan, Canada. A priest’s sabbatical was taken at the Catholic University in Washington D.C. Along the way he studied the Mexican language in San Antonio, TX.
The first 32 years of his priesthood was spent as a pastor in the Baker Diocese, Oregon. He served at the Indian mission, school and ranch. Country high desert and timber areas in the mountains provided more unique assignments.
His second 32-year career consisted of part time ministry in the Sunday circuit in Alaska. His many postings in Alaska include: Holy Rosary Academy Chaplain, Auxiliary Chaplain for the Air Force and Army.
A partial list of accomplishments include: 11 years as a 4-H member, winning the Junior Leadership Award. He directed the county 4-H band, was a panel speaker at the University of Wisconsin Farm and Home Week youth day. A.J. was the state fair blue-ribbon winner with his Holstein heifer, in a class of 105 heifers. A.J. was never defeated while competing in the one-mile race, and set a time record in cross country racing. He performed Gregorian chants at the University of Saskatchewan Conservatory. He was the state chaplain to the Oregon and Alaskan Knights of Columbus and was the N.W. Chaplain to the Boy Scout National Jamboree. A.J. is an accomplished author having written 5 small books of which his first, The Happy Priest, is an autobiography. He produced a documentary on cultural studies at St. Andrews Mission School for a Portland TV station.
Alfred had many hobbies as well. Fishing was a favorite activity. He caught a 311-pound halibut, a 45-pound King Salmon and a 30-inch rainbow trout. He hunted mule deer, elk, geese, duck and pheasant.
Additionally, A.J. rode a Honda 90 bike, skied, practiced photography, bicycled, and played H.S. basketball and college intramural sports. He played slow-pitch softball, climbed Mt. Hood in Oregon, and won a bowling trophy with a score of 264. He founded a Newman club and rode shotgun during the filming of an Idaho Historical Society T.V. documentary.
If asked, Father Fisher would say his middle name was music! In his younger years he played classical piano. In high school it was the clarinet and in college he played the saxophone, the trumpet and performed in the choir and orchestra. In later years he played the accordion, the tuba and the organ. In his retirement years he was an active Friday night fan of local bands. He celebrated polka Masses at polka festivals in California, Washington, Oregon and Alaska.
A.J.’s travels include a 1957 trip to Mexico, a 1970 trip to Europe, Russia in 1989 and Fiji, New Zealand and Australia in 2001. He also visited the Caribbean.
Father A.J. Fisher has a gravestone in Woodhull, Wisconsin, that reads, “Missionary to Oregon and Alaska.”
He is survived by one brother Marvin (Marilyn) Fisher of Des Moines, Iowa; nieces & nephews: Donna (Steve) Buck, Ann (Jerry) Kaiser, Dan Fisher, Sherry (Dan) Simon, Jim Fisher, Cindy Hammes, Mike (Tammy) Fisher, Susie Fisher, Patty (Chad) Beardslee, Deb (William) Links, Jeannie (Steve) Franke.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Vincent, Lawrence, Francis; sister-in-law Elaine; niece Diane (Bob) Gelmi.
SERVICES: Fr. Fisher’s family will receive relatives and friends on Saturday, May 13, 2023, at Our Risen Saviour Church, N6499 Co Rd Y, Eldorado, WI 54932 (Woodhull) from 10:00 to 11:00 am for visitation. A mass will be celebrated at 11:00 am. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. A mass of Christian Burial was held in Alaska on May 10.