James Fessler

James Joseph Fessler, age 89, of Fairview, passed away on Sunday, June 22, 2014.

He was born in Erie on September 16, 1924, son of the late Vincent and Teresa Riddle Fessler.

Jim Fessler was a graduate of Strong Vincent High School and Gannon College, and earned his degree in dentistry from the University of Pittsburgh.

A dentist for almost 50 years, he operated a private practice in Fairview.

He was a long-time member of Holy Cross Church.

An avid tennis player into his eighties, he also enjoyed skiing, scuba diving, and piloting his own glider. He built a cedar strip canoe and loved wilderness canoeing and backpacking. Brilliant and full of curiosity, he was known for his passion and ready sense of humor. Adventurous in spirit, he traveled the world with his wife and family.

He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Doris Beckman Fessler; two daughters, Christine Fessler of Madison, WI and Carol Fessler and her husband Thomas Hearity of Yorktown Heights, NY; a son, Stephen Fessler of Carbondale, IL; five grandchildren, Nicholas and Gregory Mendoza, Joseph Hearity, Eli Fessler, and Jesse Fessler; a sister Rosemary Blake of GA, and eight nieces and nephews.

Friends may call at the Burton Westlake Funeral Home, 3801 W. 26th Street (at Powell Ave.) on Tuesday from 11:00 am until the time of service at 1:00 pm. Burial will be in Erie Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Gannon College Archbishop Gannon Scholarship Fund, 109 University Square, Erie, PA 16541.