Henry Fish

Henry E. Fish, of Erie, died peacefully in his home at Spring Hill on February 29th, 2016. He was granted a fulsome life of ninety years on this earth. He was born in Erie on August 26, 1925, a son of the late Howard MacFarland and Dorothy Hall Fish.

He attended Glenwood Elementary, Academy High School, and graduated from Philips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire in 1944. He served in WWII as a Navy Pre-Flight Aviation Cadet in Training at University of North Carolina. Following discharge in 1945, he attended Princeton University, where he was captain of the Varsity Lacrosse team, and graduated Cum Laude in 1948. After Princeton, he received a Masters in Industrial Management from MIT’s Sloan School of Management in 1961.

Henry was the grandson of the founders of the American Sterilizer Company (AMSCO) and worked there for 38 years. He served as President and CEO of AMSCO for 14 years before his retirement in 1988. Retirement, though, was not in his vocabulary. For over 25 years after AMSCO, he had many ventures including: Jetstream/ Piedmont Airlines, Westwood Racquet Club, and forming the Erie Spears Lacrosse program. He also spent time enjoying Ajijic Mexico and “Camp Redwing” in Lake Placid, New York. Redwing held a special place in his heart, where he spent countless hours on the water and gave his family and friends the love and appreciation of nature and togetherness.

Henry had a great impact on his community through his various Board positions with Saint Vincent Health Center, Hamot Medical Center (UPMC Hamot), Lord Corporation, PennBank, Health Industry Manufacturer Association, Erie Day School, and Perry Construction Company.

He was passionate about education and supported the Erie Day School, first as a parent and grandparent, then Board Member and Trustee Emeritus. He was an active member of the Kahkwa Club, Rotary Club of Erie, and Quarter Century Club of AMSCO.

Being a superb athlete all of his life, Henry loved all sports but especially skiing, tennis, golf, and lacrosse. In 1988, Henry was inducted to the Lacrosse Hall of Fame in Baltimore, MD. He

brought his passion for lacrosse to his hometown with the formation of the Erie Spears, helping many young players find excitement for the game. His ski trips to Austria with The Erie Ski Club earned him a Kitzbühel Golden Ski Star.

Henry was a loyal, loving husband, devoted father, father-in-law and extraordinary grandfather. To these loved ones and everyone else, he was a thoughtful and kind friend. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his three brothers, Douglas, Howard and John Fish.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Laurana Schultz Fish, their three children, Susan Fish Strayer (Robert), Dori Fish (John Gravanda), both of Erie, PA, and Henry E. Fish II of Denver, CO: six grandchildren: Jayson A. Yost (Hadley), New York, NY: Lindsay L. Yost, Lake Placid, NY and Lander, WY: Elaura E. Patton, Boston, MA: Kyle F. Buseck, Erie, PA: Henry E. Fish III and Dora K. Fish both of Denver, CO: and numerous nieces and nephews.

Friends may call at Burton Westlake Funeral Home, 3801 West 26th Street on Thursday, March 3rd from 5-7 pm, and Friday, March 4th from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm and are invited to attend a funeral service on Saturday, March 5th at 11 am at Wayside Presbyterian Church, 1208 Asbury Road with Reverend Keith Sundberg officiating. Burial in Laurel Hill Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Erie Day School, 1372 West 6th St., Erie, PA 16505, or Erie Youth Lacrosse Fund, c/o Erie Community Foundation, 459 West 6th St. Erie, PA 16507. To send condolences, visit www.BurtonFuneralHome.com.