FISHER, Steven Nash, 60, of Dunwoody, GA, formerly of Newton and Sagamore Beach, died Monday, June 24, 2013 after a long illness. He was born May 7, 1953, in Newton, the son of Clark W. and Mary Anne Fisher. He grew up in Newton; Bergen County, New Jersey; and Wheaton, Illinois. He studied at Williston Academy in Easthampton, Massachusetts, from 1970-1972, and at Emory University at Oxford from 1972 to 1974.
While a student at Oxford, Steven was involved in an automobile accident that left him paralyzed in both legs and both arms, but he refused to let his injuries stop his progress. No longer able to take notes in class, he used a tape recorder to record his professors’ lectures and listened to the recordings until he learned the material. This determination and persistence were guiding principles of his life. In 1978, he earned a B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, then went on to do graduate work at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
In 1983, he was selected to participate in the Georgia Computer Programmer Project, where he acquired the skills he was to use in his career. He worked as a very successful network manager for AT&T in Atlanta from 1983 until he retired in 2004. He was honored by AT&T many times including The Employee of the Year Award.
Steven did not allow his disabilities to limit his accomplishments. He loved to travel and especially enjoyed spending time with his family at Cape Cod. He designed and built his own wheelchair-friendly home in Dunwoody, created and produced DVDs for friends and family members, and enjoyed landscaping and planting vegetable and flower gardens at his home every year. Steven touched the lives of many with his smile, generosity, deep faith and conviction.
Steven is survived by his life partner Karen Cannady, his parents Clark W. Fisher and Eve Olson Fisher of Stuart, FL; sisters Anne Fisher Presley of McKinney, TX, and Susan Fisher Doran (John) of Wellesley, MA.; brothers Clark W. Fisher, Jr., of Dubai, UAE, and George C. Fisher of Saratoga Springs, NY; an aunt, Donna L. Fisher of Rockville, MD; and an uncle, Champe A. Fisher of Stuart, FL. Steven also adored his 14 nieces and nephews and his 18 grand-nieces and grand-nephews. Steven is remembered by countless other family members and friends who were blessed to know him. Steven is preceded in death by his mother Mary Anne Fisher.
A Visitation will be held at the George F. Doherty & Sons Wilson-Cannon Funeral Home, 456 High St. DEDHAM, Saturday, June 29 from 1:00-3:00 pm. A Memorial Service Will be held in the First Church of Christ, 136 Main St. Sandwich, Tuesday, July 2 at 12:00 Noon. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Private interment in Bay View Cemetery, Sandwich.
In lieu of flowers, his family encourages donations to the American Spinal Injury Association or the Friends of Disabled Adults and Children. Steven was a long-time supporter of Friends of Disabled Adults and Children (FODAC.org), an organization that provides the services and equipment to improve the quality of life for disabled individuals. Memorials can be sent to ASIA / Shepherd Center, 2020 Peachtree Road NW, Atlanta, GA 30309 or FODAC, 4900 Lewis Road, Stone Mountain, GA 30083.
The family wishes to extend their gratitude to his loyal attendants and many doctors and nurses for their support.