Byron “Sonny” Dana Fish, Jr.
“At One with Nature”
Byron Fish of Charleston, Vermont died on July 25, 2024. His heart failed him just three days prior to his 84th birthday. Byron was a very much-loved husband, father, grandfather, and uncle. He was a long-time educator, teaching Geometry primarily to hundreds of students at NCUHS. Some kids in the hallways may have had cause to “hate” Mr. Fish, but many more inside the classrooms found him “Cool!”
Byron was called “Sonny” by his parents. He was born in 1940, in Rutland, Vermont to Vida and Byron Dana Fish. He is survived by his wife Susan, and daughters Lori (Eric) McGraw and Didi (Jeff) Kinaman as well as his prized grandchildren Erin, Dana, Ally & Ben. He is also survived by nieces and nephews Janet, Jean, John, Darlene, Debra as well as their spouses, children, and grandchildren.
Written by BDF: “When Mom was 32 and Dad was 37, I entered this world. I was premature weighing in at only 4 pounds and I was “blue”, from de-oxygenated blood. Luckily, Mom was able to eventually take me home and raised me into being a big, healthy boy. At home I joined older sisters Wilma 13, Doris 11, and Betty 9.
Both of my parents worked, and with my sisters in high school, my parents enlisted the help of a former schoolteacher for my care. I called her “Auntie” Hazel. She let me wind up her Victrola to play her records (78s). My favorites were Gene Autry and Roy Rogers. Her husband had a pipe rack with 4 smoking pipes by his chair. Auntie Hazel let me sit there and pretend to smoke – yum! But that indulgence may have led to my bad habit of pipe smoking which spanned many decades before I finally quit. Kids – Please do not ever start smoking!
Hydeville Elementary Grades 1 – 8. I had Miss Rail for first and second grade. She was firm but kind…she cared for kids. The principal was my seventh and eighth grade teacher Reverend Brown. We connected over Mathematics. I attended Fair Haven Union High School “Go Slaters” where I played 4 seasons of football for tough Coach Ralph P. Kehoe. He was a UVM Hall of Famer for 3 sports. He was fresh out of serving in the Army in the Korean war. He cut the “Slaters” no slack! These 3 plus Auntie Hazel shaped my approach to education and kids. After high school, I enlisted in the Vermont Air National Guard for 6 years. My hopes of becoming a navigator were dashed when it quickly became clear I was too big to even fit inside the fighter jet co*ckpits.
I graduated from Castleton State Teacher’s College and began my teaching career in 1962. That year I married my first wife Barbara Dolan. We had 2 daughters, Lori & Didi. In 1968 I took a job at the newly opened North Country Union High School in Newport, VT where I stayed for the last 25 years of my teaching career. I also worked many side jobs. Stand outs are mowing lawns, running the Derby-Port Drive-In theater, managing the Newport Cinema theater, and teaching at CCV. I enjoyed being a Board Member of the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department.
The last 40+ years I have had my soulmate Suzy by my side. She gets me…and I guess I get her. We built a log house on gorgeous Echo Lake. We also enjoy a rustic yet idyllic little fishing camp on Seymour Lake where we spend summers with our 5+ generations of relatives in residence, but not all at the same time. Adding to the experiences of fishing, boating, and swimming our lives have been shared with our treasured dogs (Bridgette, Lacey Jayne and Major) and 10 cats...so far.” By BDF.
Byron was predeceased by his parents, his sisters and their spouses, his Uncle Russ (a WWII veteran), his niece Donna and nephews Joey, Dale, and Jerry. He also experienced the loss of a valued brother-in-law Glenn Bonin. He lost a handful of his very closest friends in recent years.
Family sends their most sincere thanks to Orleans/Essex VNA for 21 years of “on & off” excellent home care of nursing and Physical Therapy; 46 Lakemont Rd, Newport, VT 05855. Also, deep appreciation to Newport Ambulance Service (especially Morgan) for their caring responses and aid; 830 Union St, Newport, VT 05855. If you desire, donations in memory of Byron Fish can be made to either of these organizations.
When responding to assist Byron with his various injuries over the years, EMTs were often aided by members of Charleston’s Volunteer Fire Department. To “KS” of NC Hospital Radiology – Thank you for stepping in the way you did for Byron. What an impressive community we live in!
Many of Byron’s family were able to host an impromptu, private Celebration of Life at his camp on Seymour on his birthday, July 28.
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