Richard F. Fancher, 88

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Richard F. Fancher, 88, of Pittsfield, formerly of Stephentown, N.Y., died Wednesday, December 7, 2016, at Mt. Greylock Extended Care Facility, surrounded by his loving family. 

Born in Pittsfield on April 23, 1928, the son of the late Raymond Fancher and Mary Cormier Fancher Blanchette, he was educated in Pittsfield schools. 

A World War II veteran, Mr. Fancher entered the United States Army on May 28, 1946, served overseas from December 1946 to September 1947, was decorated with a World War II victory medal, and was honorably discharged on October 30, 1947. 

Following military duty, Mr. Fancher worked for the railroad. For forty-six years he was also part owner of Knapp Oil, a Mobil gasoline distributor, and was a driver/hauler for oil and gasoline tankers. He was also the owner with his wife of Dick Fancher, Inc., which became a distributor of Mobil products. He retired in 1993, and worked part-time for various tire distributors in the area. 

A communicant of St. Joseph Church, Mr. Fancher enjoyed the outdoors and country living. He was an avid hunter in New York state and traveled to the West for bigger game. He was a member of the American Quarter Horse Association and owned five Quarter horses in the 1960s and early 1970s. He was also a gun enthusiast, a skeet shooter competitor, and a pistol club member. 

A favorite past time of his was watching old Westerns of John Wayne and others. He also enjoyed listening and dancing to Sinatra, Tony Bennett, and others of that era. His family will always remember his smooth dancing moves, especially to the jitterbug, and his infectious smile. He also enjoyed playing canasta. 

Mr. Fancher leaves his wife of 45 years, Priscilla Poulin Fancher, whom he married December 31, 1970, in Notre Dame Church; his daughter, Tracy Jean Fancher; his stepbrother, Robert Blanchette and his wife, Patricia, and their children, Scott, Tammy and Heidi; his sister-in-law, Patricia Andersen; his nephew, Sean Andersen and his wife, Sara, and their children, Lily and Sam; and his niece, Kerry Cusick and her husband, Steven, and their children, Owen and Dillon. 

He was predeceased by his mother, Mary C. (Cormier) Fancher Blanchette; his father, Raymond Fancher; his stepmother, Mercedes (Fancher) Schillinger; and his brother-in-law, James Andersen. 

The family wishes to thank the staff at Mt. Greylock Extended Care Facility and Hospice Care in The Berkshires for their care and support of Dick.

Funeral notice: Funeral services for Richard F. Fancher will be held Saturday, December 10, 2016, at 8:15 a.m. from Dery Funeral Home in Pittsfield with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 9 a.m., at St. Joseph Church celebrated by Rev. Msgr. Michael A. Shershanovich, Pastor. Burial with Military Honors will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery. 

Calling hours will be Friday, December 9, 2016, from 4 to 7 p.m., at the Dery Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to HospiceCare in The Berkshires in care of the Funeral Home, 54 Bradford Street, Pittsfield.