Joseph (Jody) Mitchell Fisher, a resident of Jamaica Plain, MA, passed away on December 15, 2022 at home with his wife by his side. Jody was born on August 14, 1953 in Waterville, Maine to the late Elmore Fisher and Dr. Samson Fisher. His small town childhood was filled with baseball, mischievous adventures, and the budding of lifelong friendships.
Jody moved to New York City to study poetry, to Washington state to study film and script writing, and to Alaska where he worked as a trucker and fisherman, interspersed with extensive traveling exploring life, poetry, and jazz. At the age of 39, Jody moved south to Alabama where he completed his undergraduate degree in English Literature at Auburn University in Montgomery followed by a Master’s degree in English at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. He then went to Simmons College in Boston where he earned a Master’s in Library and Information Science.
Jody’s return to New England would prove permanent, due in large part to falling in love with his cousin’s childhood friend, Eileen Goldberg, whom he proceeded to woo with his beautiful writing. Jody and Eileen wed in 2000 and settled in Jamaica Plain. Jody worked as a librarian for 20 years, first as an Electronic Resource Librarian at the Boston Public Library and then as a Database Librarian and Digital Collections project manager at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Jody earned certification as a Digital Archives Specialist and authored Ahab’s Leg, a collection of poems and essays.
In his mid-50’s, Jody was diagnosed with ALS. Over the next 15 years, this insidious disease slowly robbed him of his ability to ski, to travel, to walk, to work, to eat, to talk, and finally to live. Yet throughout his illness, as his life, Jody retained his abiding intellectual curiosity and love of music and poetry. His positivity radiated through to everyone he met. He stayed true to his family and friends and communicated his love passionately and eloquently as you would expect from such an avid lover of words and music.
Jody is survived by his wife Eileen; his sisters Annie and Amanda; his cousin and great friend Susan; nieces Rebekah, Mai, Isa, Toby, Lilly, nephew Max, great nieces Elena and Maya, and many other extended family members. He was predeceased by his nephew Michael. Jody was a loyal friend to many- he loved and was loved in return.
Jody’s wife Eileen, on behalf of Jody, his family and friends, would like to extend their sincere gratitude to Jody’s entire medical team: the doctors and staff at MGH’s ALS Clinic; Boston Children’s Waltham Augmentative Communication Program; his home caregivers who became part of the family; the Compassionate Care ALS Foundation; and the ALS Association. Your guidance, care and support gave Jody a better quality of life, one with adventures and dignity. To each one of you, for the part you played, Thank You from the bottom of our hearts.
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Peter Beckerman says
December 19, 2022 at 2:48 pmDear Eileen,
Our sincerest condolences to you, Annie, and Amanda, and Family and Friends for the loss of Jody.
As I am so glad I emailed to him about a month ago, and by his response to me he once again confirmed how he was so incredibly strong and brave and kept his sense of humor throughout all of it which gave him added strength. And I’m sure by his emailed response to me that my wish for him that “’May the wind always be to your back’ as you dream of skiing the slopes always,” remained with him.
Eileen, you have been magnificent throughout Jody’s illness. You may take great solace in the fabulous care you and your team have given to him and oversaw. You are a hero. Thank you.
Peter Beckerman, Jody‘s friend and neighbor, and Joan
PS I ordered a copy of Jody’s “Ahab‘s Leg“ collection from Amazon.
Shaun Sullivan says
December 19, 2022 at 4:18 pmEileen and family,
I’m heartbroken to hear of Joes passing. Joe and I worked together at UMass Lowell and we always had fun. I will always have great memories of Joe and he will be missed for sure.
Rest in Peace my friend,
Shaun Sullivan
Scott Burbank says
December 19, 2022 at 5:38 pmMy most sincere condolences to Jody’s entire family and especially to Eileen who had to juggle the two often conflicting roles of being a wife and nurse. Judy was a dear friend that meant a great deal to me. We went to school together and spent a lot of time jointly in Alaska. He was largely responsible for me settling in Homer where I have lived for 44 years.
We kept a correspondence going although his illness. We shared an interest in writing. When I shared any of my writing with him I could count on him being brutally honest. When he gave me positive feedback on a recent book it meant more to me than any other person’s opinion. We are missing him dearly!
Scott Burbank says
December 19, 2022 at 5:41 pmMy most sincere condolences to Jody’s entire family and especially to Eileen who had to juggle the two often conflicting roles of being a wife and nurse. Judy was a dear friend that meant a great deal to me. We went to school together and spent a lot of time jointly in Alaska. He was largely responsible for me settling in Homer where I have lived for 44 years.
We kept a correspondence going throughout his illness. We shared an interest in writing. When I shared any of my writing with him I could count on him being brutally honest. When he gave me positive feedback on a recent book it meant more to me than any other person’s opinion. We are missing him dearly!
Steve Swift says
December 20, 2022 at 12:54 amDear Eileen, Annie, Amanda, and family, Jody and I saw each other every few years when he would come to Waterville. When we’d talk, it was often about Coburn (my first bagel was at Jody’s house) or what it was like in Alaska, or Oregon (which he told me is pronounced Ora-gun, not Ore-gone). I admired him for leaving our small town behind to have some great adventures. His laugh and smile will be with me always. I am blessed to have been a friend for so many years. Eileen, I am grateful to you for the wonderful care you gave him. I wish Jody freedom and joy as he continues his presence in those who love him.
Lorree (Knutson) Gardener Milne says
December 24, 2022 at 8:58 pmDeepest condolences to Eileen, Annie, Amanda, Becky and to all of Jody’s family and many friends from coast to coast.
I can still hear Aunt Louise, with her strong Alabama accent, calling out, “There’s my beautiful Jody! My pretty baby boy!”, when he so graciously took me to New England, way back in the 70s, to meet his family and friends and celebrate Amanda’s wedding.
Many other cherished memories loom through the years and he will always hold a huge place in my heart, mind and soul.
Kathryn Maynes says
December 26, 2022 at 7:07 pmThe twinkle in Jody’s eye, welcoming and delighted in life, will be how I will always remember him. I knew Eileen from our teens and met Jody when they had been married ten years. Their life together, tender and devoted, was exemplary in spiritual greatness in daily life.