John Falconer Fisher III (Jack) died peacefully Tuesday, June 14, 2011, in Barre, Vermont. He was 97 years old, born on the first day of spring, March 21, 1914, in Atlantic City, New Jersey, the son of John F. Fisher Jr. and Hannah Marter Fisher. In 1954, Jack married Florence (Flukie) Kendall (deceased), of New York City. They had two daughters, Katherine (Kitty) Smyth (deceased) and Barrie Fisher, both of Waitsfield, VT. He is survived by his daughter Barrie, as well as his sister Carolyn Cadman of Lakeville, Connecticut, and her children; his son-in-law Ward Smyth and his wife Nancy; grandchildren Logan and Katherine Smyth and Carol Frey (Nancy's daughter).
Jack had many careers and hobbies throughout his life. He was often referred to as “Gentleman Jack.” He loved nature, the mountains, and a good gin martini. Jack was known for his adventures. During the Second World War, Jack was a flight instructor/pilot at Ryan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona, during which he set flying world records. You could often find yourself in his plane flying over the Berkshire Mountains . . . or part of an apple picking party traveling in the back of his vintage 1937 Diamond Reo fire engine.
Jack was an architect of the land; he once drained a lake because he felt it needed an island in the middle. In 1955, Jack co-founded and mapped out the course for Lime Rock Park race track in Lakeville, Connecticut, using his MG-TC convertible.
He was one of the original pioneers in the ski industry and president of the Ski Area Operators Association. In 1939, he hand-cut the original ski trails, building and owning both Catamount Ski Area and Jiminy Peak Ski Area in the Berkshires of Massachusetts. While living in Manhattan during the 1950s, he was discovered on the streets and asked to be a professional model. Among many roles, Jack was the original “Marlboro Man.”
Jack was an avid reader of history, nature, railroads, sailing and decoys... to name a few. He had an eye for beauty and helped you see what he saw.
In 1997, Jack moved from Salisbury, Connecticut, to Waitsfield, Vermont, to be with his daughters. He will be missed and always remembered.
