FISHER: John Ingram Fisher 1924-2013, John Ingram Fisher was born in Yorkton, Saskatchewan on June 15, 1924. As a teenager, John worked as an apprentice at Tucker's Drugstore in Yorkton, Saskatchewan. He was advised by his father to register as an apprentice before he enlisted in the Air Force so he would have a career plan to fall back on when WWII concluded. Although John started his drugstore career sweeping floors and doing deliveries, he aspired to obtain a post-secondary education and to someday own a store of his own. John's dream of becoming an entrepreneur was put on hold when he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1943. John received his training in Saskatoon, Davidson, and later on in Yorkton at the #11 Service Flying Training School where he learned to fly a Cessna twin engine airplane. John excelled in math, navigation, aircraft recognition, theory of flight, and physical endurance. He was moved to one of the leading navigation schools for pilots in Rivers, Manitoba when he became an officer and navigation instructor. John was given an officer's commission as a Pilot Officer immediately after graduation. During WWII John was stationed in 17 locations and trained over 100 students to fly, to navigate, and to stay alive. John earned a Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and a War Medal 1939-45 for his service. After the war ended, John moved to Saskatoon to attend the University of Saskatchewan. John put himself through university by using the government re-establishment credits he had earned during the war, as well as through working at Tucker's drugstore in the summertime. He earned the Charles E. Frosst Proficiency Award in the College of Pharmacy in 1946. John graduated with honours in 1949 with a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy. In 1951, John moved to North Battleford, Saskatchewan where his dream came to fruition when he purchased Harry Best's Drugstore on 101st Street, which he owned and operated for the next 54 years under the name "Fisher's Drugstore". This drugstore has a history in the Battlefords dating back to 1904. Fisher's Drugstore made the International and Canadian Rexall Honour Roll lists many times and was winner of the BBEX Heritage Award in 2000. John was a founder of the group "United Pharmacists", which helped Saskatchewan pharmacists to prosper around the province. John specialized in selling cameras and had his own column in the News-Optimist paper entitled "Camera Clicks" for many years. John was known for his knowledge about animal health and because of his knowledge was occasionally referred to by customers as "Dr. Fisher". Fisher's Drugstore has been at four locations throughout the years: 101st Street, the Sayer Block, 91st Street, and now its current location on 100th Street. John built a strip mall to house the drugstore and later expanded through building a second strip mall across the street. John married the love of his life, Shirley Anne Aitken, in 1951. Shirley was originally from Edmonton, Alberta, but had moved to the Battlefords to run the Occupational Therapy Department at the Saskatchewan Hospital. The couple was married for 50 blissful years until Shirley passed away in 2001. "Marrying Shirley was the greatest accomplishment of my life," says John. The couple were the proud parents of five children. John served on the North Battleford Collegiate Institute School Board District 12 between the years of 1964-1979, as well as on the North Battleford (Public) School Division Board between the years of 1979-1988. He was the Chairman of the North Battleford (Public) School Division Board of Education in 1984 when the Comprehensive High School was being designed. His vision was that every school should have a gymnasium and a library, and it should be a place that fosters success for all students. He strove to educate people according to their ability level and their desire to learn. John was instrumental in bringing in the International Baccalaureate Programme, adult education, and applied student programming such as welding, drafting, and motor mechanics into the Comprehensive High School. John also taught Sunday school at the United Church in the 1960s. John was one of the founders of the Reform Party and has written and published countless articles and has spoken about his political beliefs on national programs. John served on the North Battleford Board of Trade from 1957-1969. He served as the Chairman of the Retail Merchants Committee from 1957-1958 and on the membership and Finance Committee from 1963-1964. Fisher's Drugstore has been a lifetime member of the Chamber of Commerce and John remained a personal member after retiring. He was honoured to receive the Rotary Club Integrity Award in 2008. However, this was no surprise to those who knew him as "Honest John". John was an avid horse lover and an American Quarter Horse Association member. He raised and bred quarter horses that were the descendants of Poco Bueno, Docs Zimfandel and Corbett's Housekeeper. He earned an AQHA certificate for 20 years of breeding between the years of 1969-1997. In 2012, John was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his dedicated service to his peers, to his community, and to Canada. John was a patriotic man who believed in the entrepreneurial spirit of our country. He contributed to the economic growth of North Battleford through the creation of jobs and industry. He was dedicated to the education of youth and took a great interest in the future of Saskatchewan. John passed away on November 11 at the Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan at the age of 89. His sense of humour, joyful nature, and passion for life will be dearly missed by his family, his friends, and the community. John is predeceased by his parents Violet and John, his wife Shirley, and daughter Kathleen. John is survived by his siblings Elaine, Robert, and Vivi-Anne; his children Marjory, Robert (Fiona), Thomas (Bruna), and Ian (Shelley); Kathleen's husband Guy; and his grandchildren David, Guy-John, Laura (Jordan), Jane, John, Suzanne, Amy, James, Breanna, Lucas, Mallory, and Stephen. John Fisher's Memorial Service will take place at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in North Battleford, Saskatchewan at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, December 6, 2013. The Fisher family is asking that in lieu of flowers memorial donations be sent to the Royal Canadian Legion, North Battlefords Branch 70, Box 777, North Battleford, SK, S9A 2X9 , on behalf of John Fisher's legacy. Condolences to the family can be forwarded to [email protected] Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Battlefords Funeral Service. (306) 446-4200 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
