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2009 Persons Of The Year: Jerry Fischer

Jerry Fischer of Bluff Springs has been named one of our North Escambia Persons of the Year.

From Fischer Landing that bears his name, to his work with the Alger-Sullivan Historical Society, to his never ending smile, to his willingness to stop and help anyone in need, most people in the Century area know the name Jerry Fischer.

The story of Jerry Fischer is perhaps best told by his friend of about 60 years, Jerry Simmons.

Submitted by Jerry Simmons

What can be said about this man that could diminish the good that he has done for this community? He has been a friend to just about everyone he’s met; he’s been generous to the community with his time and talents; he’s been a good provider to his family, and all-in-all a man whose time for acknowledgment by his community has come.

He was a councilman for the Town of Century more than 24 years. During that time he was always for the elderly and the poor people in the town. When there were grants available for housing, he lost his last campaign partly because he spoke out against overlooking those who slept with holes in their roof and those who could not speak out for themselves. There were those who disagreed with him in principle but who had no convincing argument to the contrary when it came time to be fair and equitable. He believes in doing right by everyone, not a select few.

He was one of the original members of the South Flomaton Volunteer Fire Department in the 1960s, because he felt that was a service the community needed. He was one of several who spearheaded facilitating a vote to combine South Flomaton and Century. Some folks might think that wasn’t such a good thing, but Century is much better off with it done.

At various times he’s been a member and/or officer in just about every local civic organization, such as the Lions Club. His contemporaries must have thought well of him and his leadership ability, because he was elected to head the Little League and the Century Recreation Association. He worked selflessly to make a place for boys and girls who otherwise would have no direction. He coached, he worked in fundraising, he did anything he could to make all he was involved in to be successful. He’s passed that on to his children and now his grandchildren, who all rely upon his judgment and respect him deeply.

He once told a friend that when he went to Hawaii with his family and entered high school there, many of the Hawaiian boys didn’t like white boys. That’s where he really became interested in boxing, so he could fend for himself. The discipline that’s required in training for boxing taught him valuable lessons on how that if you wanted something bad enough, there are sacrifices that must be made. He’s followed that philosophy throughout his adult life and it’s done him well.

He wanted to provide a boat landing for the outdoorsmen in the area, so 30 or so years ago he got a group of young men together and had a cement truck come in to pour a boat ramp just about where the Escambia River Fischer Landing is today. In later years, he fought for and helped the Town of Century secure grant funds to create a real boat landing, which today is named for him.

He has a love for the environment and for years has worked with groups to go up and down the river, cleaning up the garbage ignorant people leave behind or deliberately toss out of their boats or their cars and trucks. Tires, old barbecue grills, Styrofoam coolers and cups; you name it – he’s been responsible for picking up thousands of pounds of debris from the creek and river banks in this region.

If it were not for Jerry’s love of history, hundreds of photographs and records would have been destroyed. Because of his interest, these records and pictures are categorized and saved for posterity. His dedication to the Alger-Sullivan Historical Society is legend. He’s been the driving force behind so many projects to preserve not only Century’s heritage, but that of Flomaton and Jay, as well as for miles around.

When the news came out that Jerry was sick, there was hardly anyone in Century or Flomaton whose heart did not go out to him and his family. Wherever one went, there was always a question, “Have you heard how Jerry’s doing?”

After over two years of doctors’ visits and chemotherapy, Jerry finally found himself back where he wanted to be and that was being able to make a difference. He went back to work at the Alger-Sullivan Historical Society and seemed to want to try to make up for lost time. He got buildings painted, new displays up and organized, and spearheaded the writing of a new history book for the area. He was the driving force behind fund-raising efforts by the society and created new avenues of goodwill for the Century, Flomaton and Jay areas.

Wherever he goes, whatever he does, people remember him. He is an unforgettable person, whose constant smile and cheerful banter make all who meet him for the first time feel better for having been around him.

In 2007, he was named Century’s Citizen of the Year in 2007. In 2009, he was given a clean bill of health from cancer.

This town, this community, this world is a better place because Jerry Fischer has been here.

Pictured: Jerry Fischer at the dedication of Fischer Landing on the Escambia River in Century. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.