Dennis' Obituary
Our beloved dad, grandfather, uncle, and friend passed away Sunday, February 18, 2024, aged 90, in the presence of his loving children. His spirit shines on. Now he is rejoined with his lifelong love, our blessed mother, Marie Armande.
Dennis Ronald Fisher was born on November 14, 1933, in tiny Griffin, Saskatchewan, Canada, the fifth of eight siblings, born to Richard and Madeline Fisher. His family lost their farm in the Depression, so he grew up in little Heward, Saskatchewan. His father, while in his 40’s, served in the South Saskatchewan Regiment during World War II, from 1940-1945, surviving the Battle of Dieppe.
Family, friendship, work, and hockey were the pillars of his world. Amongst other early jobs, he taught in a 1-room schoolhouse when he was 18, was a tutor, and even briefly a gravedigger. With his cousin and best friend Kenny, he traveled in the summers playing baseball. Life circumstances during the 1950’s interrupted his path to a professional hockey career (he played on two teams at the same time, and he once scored 3 goals and 3 assists in a regional championship 7th game) possible with the Montreal Canadiens. “Swifty” was a star forward who played on such teams as the Ponteix Penguins, Kincaid Maroons, and eventually semipro Great Falls teams such as the Americans, Hawk Electrics, and the Silver Foxes. His friendships were tightknit and lifelong. Even after his playing days were over, he coached youth hockey teams, instilling sportsmanship and passing on his skills, to new generations.
Dennis first saw Marie Armande Carignan sitting in a rink with her father watching hockey, for she dearly loved the game. They married in 1956 in Ponteix. He was “English,” she was French-Canadian (who didn’t even speak English until in her 20’s). In 1960, following a famous coach, and having been offered a job in Great Falls, Montana, Dennis and Marie moved to the States, where they made many dear friends, raised three children, and where they remained the rest of their lives. Dennis worked for several companies as foreman; at one time he managed 6 warehouses.
Their marriage lasted over 40 years, until his beloved Marie Armande passed in 1999. “Papa” then devoted himself to his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, his best friends, and his Catholic faith. He loved Montana high school and college sports, especially the Great Falls High Bisons, the Bobcats and Grizzlies, and also the 49ers/Joe Montana.
Dennis was predeceased by his parents, Richard and Madeline; brothers, Wilfred and Danny; sisters, Ruby, Jeanette, Shirley, and Rose Marie. He is survived by his brother, Gerald (Connie) who still reside in Canada; his son, Lyn (Terry); his daughters, Debbie (Paul) and Lisa (Monty) Warrington, his 6 grandchildren, each of whom he adored in his own special way-- Matthew, Amanda, Misty, Alexander, Marcus, and Cameron-- and 7 great-grandchildren; as well as many nieces and nephews across Canada.
Devoted husband, beloved father, and grandfather, loyal friend, Dennis rests now in peace with Marie. We will have a graveside ceremony for our father at a later time, probable early May, in Great Falls, to inter his ashes beside our sainted mother.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to Great Falls Amateur Hockey Association (P.O. Box 507 Great Falls, MT 59403).
