Earl Frederick “Fred” Fisher

Earl Frederick “Fred” Fisher, 72, departed this life at Meadow Brook Medical Care Facility on October 13, 2025, after a long and courageous battle with Parkinson’s Disease. The second child of Evan and Marilyn Fisher, Fred was born February 23, 1953, in Washington, D.C., and he grew up in suburban Chevy Chase, Maryland. His grandmother, Alida Dearborn Fisher, was raised on a farm in Forest Home Township, and his family spent the summers of his youth there. Fred developed a lifelong love of the area. 

After graduating high school in Maryland, Fred attended Ferris State College, where he received an associate’s degree in Applied Science, specializing in Heavy Equipment Technology, in the mid-1970s. He moved to his family’s Dearborn Shores property soon thereafter, working as a mechanic. In 1979, he began his long-time employment with Lamina Tool and Die Corporation. Initially a machine operator, he switched to the Maintenance Department in 1997, and from 2003 until his retirement in 2015 he was the company’s Health and Safety Officer. 

Fred was well known for his even temperament, his integrity, his devotion to his family and friends, and his generosity of spirit. His understated and prankish sense of humor, and his storytelling ability, were a delight to all who knew him. If a friend or loved one needed something, Fred was always there for them, and he brought his skills with him. He was a talented mechanic and welder – as one of his cousins said, “If it was broke, Fred could fix it.” After his father’s death in 1988, he took over the primary care of his Dearborn Shores community, maintaining the equipment and doing whatever jobs were needed for the greater good. He unflinchingly looked after the needs of his elderly mother, aunt, and uncle for as long as they lived. 

Fred’s life was a constant battle with disability. In addition to the Parkinson’s of his later years, he was afflicted with polio at a young age, and it left him with a limp and other problems. He modeled toughness and courage throughout, and he never complained, but his struggles with life on land led him to a longtime love of scuba diving, where he had the same freedom of movement as other people. He dived on some of the most renowned shipwrecks in the Great Lakes, going to a depth of 240 feet on one occasion. From each dive, he would bring back photos, videos, and stories. Fred also enjoyed fast vehicles on both land and water and building things in his machine shop. 

Fred was married twice, to Jacqueline White and Rebecca Lowe. He is survived by his sons, Cory Jack Fisher and Jesse Maxon Fisher (Adrielle Tecson), both of whom live in the Bellaire area, and a granddaughter, Mia. Also surviving are sister Lynn Fisher and brother Jim Fisher (Kari Galster), on the old family farm, two nieces, Lindsay Fisher Johnson of Interlochen and Jenifer Fisher of Stanton, and numerous cousins. 

Visitation will be on November 8, 2025, from 1 to 3 at Mortensen Funeral Home (106 S. Bridge Street, Bellaire), followed by a celebration of life at Bellaire Lanes & Games (4800 M-88, Bellaire) from 4 to 6. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Fred’s name to the Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson’s research: The Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson's – "Movement Matters" in fighting Parkinson’s.

Arrangements are in the care of the Bellaire Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes. Please sign his online guestbook www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com.