Obituary for J. Stephen Fleischer
J. Stephen Fleischer, 82, died peacefully on September 12, 2020, surrounded by his wife Regina and sons Philip and Stephen Fleischer.
He was born in Pittsburg, PA, the son of Charles and Mary Fleischer and brother of Charles and Frank; he grew up in Chappaqua, NY, where he graduated from Horace Greely High School. He went on to obtain his BA in Economics at Holy Cross in Worcester Massachusetts . After graduation he served in the US Navy as a Jr. Officer on the USS Putnam 757. in 1961 he was honorably discharged and his kind and gentle spirit took him in a different path getting his Master in Divinity in Maryknoll, New York. As a missionary he went to Guatemala, working with the Mayan descendants in the beautiful mountains of Huehuetenango and later in Guatemala City, where he worked as director of a literacy program where he met his future wife Regina, a teacher and volunteer. Eventually, they came back to the United States, where he worked for Bank of America. Never compromising his values, he became one of the first Urban Affairs Officers working with minorities in the Mission District in San Francisco and also served on the Board of Directors of the Sickle Cell Anemia Research. He worked with Bank of America as a VP in Venezuela, Miami, New York and San Francisco, CA.
After retirement, Steve and Regina made their home in Naples in 2002. He became a volunteer with the Guadalupe Social Services in Immokalee, and the Literacy Council in Bonita Springs.
Steve was an unrelenting student of the spiritual meaning of life. His understanding words and gentle actions stirred up the best of anyone he crossed paths with. He will always be remembered as someone who was compassionate, patient, non-judgemental, and trusting in the idea that we are always and eternally in God's good hands, no matter what stage we are at in our own spiritual development. The experience of life was one he lived with conviction married to his beliefs. He died peacefully, and is now one with God.
Steve was a wonderful father to his two sons. He taught them compassion and patience, and never allowed himself to lose his temper over trivial things in life. He always had a kind personality that made complete strangers feel at ease around him. He made many friend. Friends around the world who loved him until he passed. A true literature fan, Steve always had a book by his side, and enjoyed conversations about politics and religion. He lived with the philosophy "treat others how you would like to be treated". Steve continues to spread kindness and love into the next phase of his journey.
Steve is survived by his wife of almost 50 years Regina, their sons Stephen and Philip and Grandson Henrik. His niece Devery, nephews Stephen, Gene, Peter, Paul and James Fleischer and their children.
He started every morning by going to the window and saying" What a Beautiful Day!"
Rest in Peace dear Steve.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Alzheimer's Support Network or the Guadalupe Social Services in Immokalee.
He was born in Pittsburg, PA, the son of Charles and Mary Fleischer and brother of Charles and Frank; he grew up in Chappaqua, NY, where he graduated from Horace Greely High School. He went on to obtain his BA in Economics at Holy Cross in Worcester Massachusetts . After graduation he served in the US Navy as a Jr. Officer on the USS Putnam 757. in 1961 he was honorably discharged and his kind and gentle spirit took him in a different path getting his Master in Divinity in Maryknoll, New York. As a missionary he went to Guatemala, working with the Mayan descendants in the beautiful mountains of Huehuetenango and later in Guatemala City, where he worked as director of a literacy program where he met his future wife Regina, a teacher and volunteer. Eventually, they came back to the United States, where he worked for Bank of America. Never compromising his values, he became one of the first Urban Affairs Officers working with minorities in the Mission District in San Francisco and also served on the Board of Directors of the Sickle Cell Anemia Research. He worked with Bank of America as a VP in Venezuela, Miami, New York and San Francisco, CA.
After retirement, Steve and Regina made their home in Naples in 2002. He became a volunteer with the Guadalupe Social Services in Immokalee, and the Literacy Council in Bonita Springs.
Steve was an unrelenting student of the spiritual meaning of life. His understanding words and gentle actions stirred up the best of anyone he crossed paths with. He will always be remembered as someone who was compassionate, patient, non-judgemental, and trusting in the idea that we are always and eternally in God's good hands, no matter what stage we are at in our own spiritual development. The experience of life was one he lived with conviction married to his beliefs. He died peacefully, and is now one with God.
Steve was a wonderful father to his two sons. He taught them compassion and patience, and never allowed himself to lose his temper over trivial things in life. He always had a kind personality that made complete strangers feel at ease around him. He made many friend. Friends around the world who loved him until he passed. A true literature fan, Steve always had a book by his side, and enjoyed conversations about politics and religion. He lived with the philosophy "treat others how you would like to be treated". Steve continues to spread kindness and love into the next phase of his journey.
Steve is survived by his wife of almost 50 years Regina, their sons Stephen and Philip and Grandson Henrik. His niece Devery, nephews Stephen, Gene, Peter, Paul and James Fleischer and their children.
He started every morning by going to the window and saying" What a Beautiful Day!"
Rest in Peace dear Steve.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Alzheimer's Support Network or the Guadalupe Social Services in Immokalee.