Harry Gustav Fish
January 12, 1950 ~ May 2, 2010
Harry Gustav Fish, III, 60, died Sunday May 2, 2010 at his home in Rocky Mount. He was born January 12, 1950 in Washington DC, the son of Josephine Huckabee Fish and the late Dr. Harry Gustav Fish, Jr.
Harry graduated from Rocky Mount Senior High in 1968 and from Hampton-Sydney College in 1972 with a degree in economics. He was employed with Home Savings/Pioneer Savings Bank from 1972 until 1991, and at that time became a financial advisor with Wheat First Securities. Since the late 90s, Harry has owned and operated Harry Fish Photography as a wedding and freelance photographer.
While growing up in Rocky Mount, Harry ("Buddy") was a member of Boy Scout Troop 7 achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. During his entire life, he was an avid sportsman and outdoorsman. He enjoyed fishing with his friends at Durant Island, in addition to golfing and hunting. He had a special talent for detail in duck carving and taxidermy and spent many hours in his dad's workshop as they compared notes on their latest projects. He also loved exploring Nash and Edgecombe counties finding and collecting Indian artifacts with his children.
In addition to his mother, Harry is survived by his wife of 36 years, Wanda Cooper Fish; his son, Harry Gustav Fish IV; daughter, Megan Cooper Fish; sister, Janet Fish Watson and husband Jim; brothers, John Edward Fish and wife Cassandra, Donald George Fish and wife Ashley, and Joseph Huckabee Fish. He is also survived by eight nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00p.m. Tuesday, May 4th at the First United Methodist Church in Rocky Mount. The family will receive friends immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 100 S. Church Street, Rocky Mount NC 27804 or to the Eastern NC Wildlife Waterfowl Guild, P.O. Box 1713, Washington NC 27889-1713.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount NC.
You may share your memories and send the family condolences online by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.
Visitation
First United Methodist Church (Rocky Mount)
100 South Church Street
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
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Tuesday 5/4, 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Service
First United Methodist Church (Rocky Mount)
100 South Church Street
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
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Tuesday 5/4, 2:00 pm
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Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.
To all of Harry’s family, I am so very sorry for your loss. Harry was a wonderful person who was always so kind and thoughtful. He has left us with many memories with all of the fabulous photos he has taken throughout the years and who was kind enough to share. My most favorite picture is one that Harry took of Trey when he was 13 years old. It occupies a special place in my office and will always occupy a special place in my heart. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Faye Sprye
To all of the Fish family Having grown up in RM and having spent years knowing many of your family members throughout different generations, our families send our thoughts and prayers to each of you during this most difficult time. Theresa Haggerty Harrell
Harry was a member of my Home SavingsPioneer Savings Bank family, where we worked together for over 18 years. We endured the tides of banking and celebrated special life events, i.e., the birth of children (Gus, Megan and my Amanda,) Today, I share your sorrow in the loss of a wonderful man. May God comfort you and give you peace. With love, Jennifer Roberts (Bullock) White
My sympathy to all the Fish family. My heart especially goes out to Janet, with whom I grew up. I have many fond memories of tether ball by the river and a yard full of brothers. I also was pleased to meet Harry’s daughter, Megan, several years ago in Cary at a high school tennis tournament and was impressed by her sweetness in the midst of a competitive athletic event. The Fish genes,both physical traits and warm personality, were readily apparent. May many warm and loving memories sustain you now and in the months ahead. Margaret Taylor Park Raleigh, NC
Dear Fish family, I am so sorry to hear of Buddy’s death. Please know my thoughts are with your family. I have many fond memories of all of you, as I am one of Joe’s childhood friends. I feel like I’ve known you all personally by hearing Joe speak of you all throughout the years. May the days ahead become brighter. I pray for peace during this time of loss. Sincerely, Mary Futrell Utz Morehead City, NC
Sorry to hear of Harry’s Death. Robert K. Smith RMSHS ’62
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. May God bring you peace and comfort. Teresa and Al Bullard
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult and confusing time. Gary & Debbie Brown
Wanda, I am Jim Middleton (Class of 67) and my wife is Martha Arrington (Class of ’68) who you were a Cheerleader with at RMSHS. I am so sorry about Harry. We were in Troop 7 together. I remember him as a great guy and enjoyed spending time with him at the Heptagon with Seek. Lynell Fleming told me about Harry’s situation. I have suffered from exactly the same thing for the past 15 years. Consequently I understand the difficulties you have faced. I know it has been 40+ years since we have seen each other but please know that if there is anything I can do, please contact me. You and your family are in our prayers, Jim and Martha Middleton Panama City, FL [emailprotected] 850-763-3620
Harry and I were pledge brothers [PiKA] at Hampden-Sydney,so I have known him since 1968. During our four years together, I never knew him have to have a cross word with anyone.That certainly isn’t true of me.Even as a college student you knew Harry was a gentleman [again, not true of me] I am proud to have had him as a friend. Carter Whitley
Wanda, our hearts are heavy and hurt for you and your family. you know how much we thought of Harry and remember the gentleness and kindness Harry always had as we grew up together. our thoughts and prayers will continue to come your way in this most difficult time. God Bless, Lynne and Graham
To all our family (cont.) In the second to last paragraph in my note below, I forgot to say that Buddy was a very loving and caring father and uncle too!
To all our family I want to tell you all just how sorry I am that we had to gather last week in Rocky Mount for, of all things, Buddy’s funeral. Like I am sure it is for all of you, I can’t go 2 minutes without thinking about how much I miss and love Bud, how important he was to me and all of us, and how much I wish I could turn back the clock and somehow make this all go away. When I stood up in front of the church last Tuesday, as terrible and as sad as it was, I was also overwhelmed and filled with pride when I saw the standing room only crowd that had come together to honor and celebrate his life. Buddy was loved and respected by so many people. During the many hours that we all stayed in fellowship hall after the service, and at Don and Ashley’s house later that day, it was so sad, but at the same time, so uplifting to listen to all of his old friends reminisce about old times, sharing their favorite stories about Bud, and the positve affect and lasting memories that he left with all of us. I think is is important now that we all look forward as a family and remember Buddy as the loving, caring, brother, son and husband that he was to all of us; but to also recognize and accept that he ultimately lost a long battle with a terrible illness. In the end, Buddy’s death has broken all of our hearts, there is no escaping that; but we should also be sure to understand that he didn’t break our hearts on purpose, he didn’t mean to do that. He couldn’t help it. Buddy loved us all and we all loved him. We all did everything we could to help him through it. Buddy lost the battle, but he is finally at peace, and he is with the Lord now. I love you all John