Lloyd W. (L.W.) “Bud” Fischer

Lloyd W. (L.W.) “Bud” Fischer, born June 2, 1924, Edwardsville, IL went to be with his Lord on January 2, 2011 after a few years of failing health. Born to the parents of Joseph and
Dorothy Fischer, Lloyd was the 3rd child of six children.

Bud, as he was called by his many friends and neighbors, came to Hornell in 1966.

He had many jobs growing up in Illinois, but in 1945 after he married his first wife, Virginia Deaton, he got a job on the Illinois Central Railroad. After taking a correspondence course in electronic engineering, he received his first promotion where he moved to Morton IL. After a disagreement with his supervisor, he left the Illinois Central Railroad and got a job in Chicago with the Erie Railroad, as a railroad detective.

In 1955, he moved to Hammond, IN. where he was transferred to the communications department on the railroad working on teletype machines and taking care of problems with telephones and radios out along the railroad tracks.

When the Erie railroad was training people in telecommunications in 1955, they allowed 25 people to take the course. Bud told his boss that he wanted to take the communications course with the railroad. He was the only person out of the 25 people that actually finished and passed the course.

In 1956, he was transferred to Decatur, IN with the Erie Railroad. And then in 1959, he was transferred to Marion, OH where he worked on the Erie Railroad until he was transferred to Hornell in 1966. That year his marriage also ended with Virginia.

When he moved to Hornell, he was a communications engineer for a year and then the Erie merged into Conrail. At that time they changed his job title to radio engineer supervisor, working out of Philadelphia. He retired from Conrail in 1984.

In 1970, he married Ruth Cross and they were married 4 months shy of 25 years before she passed away in 1995.

During the time Bud lived in Hornell, he started a square dance club called the Buds ‘n Blossoms, which is still in existence today. He was a member of Elks Lodge in Hornell and the I.B.E.W. He was also an avid gardener supplying his neighbors with a bountiful amount of vegetables each year.

But the thing that Bud was be most noted for is being the “sign man.” Anyone driving over Rt 36 overpass could look towards the Comfort Inn and see the many signs on the white picket fence. Over the years, most of them were pleasant greetings, wishing people Happy Holidays, Happy Mom’s Day, or Father’s day, or somebody’s birthday. However, there were a few jabs towards the politics in Hornell. Mayor Shawn Hogan or City Council made it to the picket fence more than once with a short jab about what kind of job they were doing.

As Bud progressed through these past few years in failing health, in general conversation, nurses, aides and doctors would ask him where he lived. When he told them, they always mentioned about the picket fence, the signs and how much they enjoyed and looked forward to seeing what would appear next. He was always amazed and thrilled to hear that they remembered.

Many nurses he came into contact with him during his illness would tell them how they remember the play yard Bud created when the adjacent property belonged to the City. His last sign was welcoming the Serv-U-Credit union when it opened its doors next to his house.

Bud leaves behind his devoted daughter, April Morrison, who traveled each month from out-of-state to visit him. Also, his loving son, Lloyd W. Fischer II (Jr.) (Judy), of Raymond, Ohio, step-daughters, Lois Ives (James) of Norwich, NY, who visited 3 or 4 times a year, and Sandra Brode of Chicago, IL. He is also survived by 8 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren, 4 sisters, Vi Vesper, Laverne Wiesemann, Del Hosto, of Illinois and Clara Lee (Art) Thimsen of Maryland along with many nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors. He was predeceased by his brother, Florian Fischer.

A genuine thanks from the family goes to all of Bud’s friends and neighbors who watched, visited, and ran errands for him when his family was not available. He will be missed by everyone.

Calling hours are from 6-8 p.m. Thursday at the Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc., 285 Main St., Hornell, where the Hornell Elks Lodge will conduct a memorial service at 7:45 p.m. Thursday. A funeral and committal service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Larry Gerdes officiating. Interment will be in Rural Cemetery, Hornell.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing may contribute in his memory to either Faith In Action, P.O. Box 117, Hornell, N.Y. 14843 or to Meals on Wheels, in care of Pro Action, 117 E. Steuben St., Bath, N.Y. 14810. Envelopes for memorial contributions will be available at the funeral home.

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