Obituary of John W. Fichter

John W. Fichter, age 79, of East Norriton Township, PA, passed away on February 11, 2014 at Mercy Suburban Hospital in East Norriton, PA. He was the husband of Maryann (Brunner) Fichter and was a retired Pennsylvania Legislator from the State of Pennsylvania's 70th Legislative District. Born in West Conshohocken, PA on January 2, 1935, he was son of the late John J. and Ella N. (Lukens) Fichter. He was a graduate of Norristown Area High School and received his BBA Business Administration from Ursinus College. John was a Manager of Employee Benefits for two major manufacturers - Alan Wood Steel Company and General Refractories Corporation. He spent 26 years in township government including the positions of Auditor for 13 years, Planning Commission for 5 years (chairman for 1 year) and served for 8 years on East Norriton Board of Supervisors where he was chairman for 4 years. He was a State Representative from 70th Legislative District from 1992 - 2006. He served on many committees, and was subcommittee Chairman of Counties Committee of Local Government Committee. He received many awards including absence free voting record and champion of small businesses. He retired in 2006. He was a member and past president of the Montgomery County Association of Township Officials. John chaired and served on political campaigns for Bob Butera for Governor, John Heinz for U.S. Senate, Peter Vroon for State Representative and Edwin Holl for State Senator. He was a member of the Republican State Committee from 1980 - 1992 and Area Eight Leader from 1985 - 2009. He was a past President of the Greater Norristown Junior Chamber of Commerce and Montgomery County Triangle Club. He was a past member of the Board of Directors of Montgomery County, Norristown Public Library and Senior Adult Activity Center. He managed and coached Legion baseball teams and girls basketball teams for East Norriton Township. He was a member of the Advisory Committee for D.A.R.E. John was a member of the First Presbyterian Church at Norristown and past member of the Board of Trustees and Session. He was an honorary member of the Norriton Fire Engine Company and a former Advisory Member of Salvation Army Board and Greater Norristown Corporation. He received an honorable discharge from the U.S. Army Reserves with rank of Sergeant in the 322nd Medical Depot. He was featured in the Times Herald as one of Montgomery County's 100,000. He was honored as Ctizen of the Year for East Norriton Township and was on the Board of Directors of Physicians Insurance Program Exchange (PIPE) He was a member of the Charity Lodge #190 and the Valley Forge High Twelve Club #305. John was a devoted and loving husband and father and especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Maryann (Brunner) Fichter of East Norriton; daughters Barbara (and her husband Timothy) Metz of Plymouth Meeting, Dorothy "Dee" (and her husband Sumner) Cross of Oreland and Nancy Fichter of Lafayette Hill; sister Barbara N. (and her husband Richard) Smith of Virginia Beach, VA; granddaughters Katrina (and her husband Edward) Borzelleca, Alison Cross, Amy Cross, Kelly Cross, and Julie Cross; grandson Timothy J. (and his wife Erika) Metz; great-grandchildren Madison Borzelleca and Timothy M. Metz; nieces Carol A Whitman, Christine Aumann and Kathy Tandy and nephew Karl Smith. He was predeceased by his parents John J. and Ella N. (Lukens) Fichter and his sister Edith J. Aumann. His Memorial Service will be held on Monday, February 17, 2013 at 12 noon from the First Presbyterian Church At Norristown, 113 East Airy Street, Norristown, PA. The Rev. William Caraher and The Rev. Paul Toms will be officiating. Friends may call on Monday from 10:00 am to noon at the church. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, please perform a random act of kindness in his memory.