Joseph Fichter

Joseph "Joe" Fichter was born on January 1, 1940 in Englewood, NJ. (He liked to tell everyone that the hospital awarded his mother $10 for delivering the first baby of the year.) He studied at Our Lady of Mount Carmel High School Seminary in Hamilton,  MA and Trinity College in San Antonio, TX before he joined the New Jersey National Guard and took over the family construction business in Tenafly, NJ.

In 1981, Joe purchased Cole's Hardware in Buchanan, NY. After a significant renovation and expansion, he re-opened the business as Buchanan Home Center, which he ran until his retirement in 2013. 

During his retirement in Spring Lake, NJ, Joe volunteered as a Meals on Wheels driver and as an aide at PrimeTime Center, a school for young adults with special needs. He also wrote a colorful monthly column for his community magazine (The Fairway Mews News), where he shared recollections and reflections on retirement and life at large.

Joe spent the last five months of his life at Saint Elizabeth Church of Hungary in Wyckoff, NJ, where his son, Stephen, is pastor, and the parishioners welcomed him with open arms and hearts.  

Joe is survived by his children and their spouses Celeste (Marti), Tim (Lori), Stephen, Mary (Joe), grandsons Clyde and Wesley, siblings Bobbie, David, Rick, Toma, Jimmy, and former wife Annette, mother of his four children. He is fondly remembered by many nephews and nieces. Joe is predeceased by his parents, Mary and Harry, and his brother Paul.

A wake will be held at Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Church in Wyckoff, NJ on Wednesday, November 5, from 3 PM to 7 PM. A funeral Mass, also at Saint Elizabeth, will be held on Thursday, November 6, at 10 AM. The burial will be private. 

The funeral will be live-streamed at https://saintelizabeths.org/live-stream-archives

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to a charity of your choice.