Howard L. Fesenmyer Jr.
Howard L Fesenmyer Jr., 94, of, Bradford, passed away Wednesday, February 3, 2021, at the Bradford Ecumenical Home.
Born May 30, 1926, In Oil City, he was a son of the late Howard L. and Catherine (Schmader) Fesenmyer Sr.
He was a 1942 graduate of Oil City High School.
Howard enlisted in the United States Navy and served in the Pacific during WWII.
After the war, he attended Penn State University and graduated from Clarion University in 1949 with a degree in education.
On August 19, 1950 in the St Bernard Church, he married, Dorothea (Gildersleeve) Fesenmyer, who preceded him in death on December 21, 2014.
In 1953, Howard began his career with Zippo Manufacturing Company. He started as assistant Sales Manager. Over the next 35 years, he was instrumental in expanding Zippo’s worldwide sales including becoming a board member of the Isbrand Company in Denmark. In 1979 he was promoted to executive Vice President of Sale and Marketing.
After retiring from Zippo in 1991, Fesenmyer assumed the position of Executive Director of the Philo and Sarah Blaisdell Foundation. In 1991, the Holgate Toy Company announced Fesenmyer joined the company as Vice President of Sales.
On January 5, 2002 Howard was recognized by the Bradford Exchange Club as the Golden Deeds Award recipient. This annual award is presented to someone who has contributed to the community, often quietly and without public fanfare. July 8, 2008, the Oil City native earned the distinction of having his name attached to a dormitory at the University of Pittsburgh campus in Bradford on behalf of his fundraising efforts. Fesenmyer was also the recipient of the University of Pittsburgh Presidential Gold Medal of Honor. January 1, 2016, Fesenmyer retired as Executive Director of the Philo and Sarah Blaisdell Foundation.
Mr. Fesenmyer was a devoted member of St. Bernard Church, a trustee of the Bradford Family YMCA, the YWCA of Bradford, Guthrie Medical Center of Sayre, and the Bradford Area Public Library. He was also a member of the Board of Directors of Beacon Light Behavioral Health Systems, The Bradford Educational Foundation, the Bradford Exchange Club and the Friendship Table.
Surviving is one daughter, Susan (Michael) Carlson, of Woodlands, TX and one son, David (Cindy) Fesenmyer, of Imperial, one son-in-law, Jon Kirk of Olean NY, six grandchildren, Michael (Jackie) Carlson, Sarah (Matt) Shivers, Brian Kirk, Timothy (Veronica) Kirk, Catherine (Chris) Blocher and Jessica Fesenmyer, 11 great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and one daughter, Judy Kirk.
Friends are invited to livestream a Celebration of Life on Saturday February 6, 2021, at 11:00am, with Fr. Jim Gutting, Senior Associate at St. Bernard Church officiating. To livestream the service, go to www.hollenbeckcahill.com and use the South Ave. camera.
Burial will follow in Willow Dale Cemetery.
Those wishing to make a memorial contribution are asked to consider the Howard L. and Dorothea C. Fesenmyer Scholarship Fund at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford or the Friendship Table in Bradford.
Funeral arraignments are under the direction of Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes Inc.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.hollenbeckcahill.com
All Condolences -
My Sympathies to Susan & Michael, David & Cindy and Jon and families.
— Michael Reinsel
Dear Susie, Mike, and Family,
Mr. Fesenmyer was a wonderful man and a friend to all. After all these years, he still knew me by name, and never hesitated to say "Hello."He will certainly be missed. My condolences.
— Clare (Schweinberg) Pusateri
So Sorry to learn of Howard''s passing. Our deepest condolences to the entire family. There are too many great stories of my global travels with Uncle Howard. A true gentleman and community supporter. Unfortunately, he is joining a large number of Zippo retirees in the afterworld. I will see you there some day, My Friend. May you rest in peace
— mike and diane schuler
So sad to lose such a great man who did so much and left his mark in so many ways and in many hearts. I first met Howard when I was interviewed for a job in the Credit Dept in 1972. I had to talk to the person I would be working for, who made me so nervous and when Howard walked into the room with that sweet smile I felt so much better. Over the years at Zippo, he never lost his smile or his compassion. He gave his all and I always felt what a great representative of Zippo he must have been when traveling to other countries. He touched so many lives and was such a wonderful man. Will be missed by many.
— Bonnie Spry
As an officer of the Oak Hill Cemetery Association, as was Howard a member, I would always go to him for fundraising assistance since he knew everybody and he helped me greatly.
If you were alone with him and he was speaking to you in that most effective voice, you never walked away without knowing what he was trying to say. AND he only said it once. He was so helpful to us in many ways.
John Watson
— JOHN WATSON
Mike,Susie and families,
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time.
He was always kind to me and usually had some very good advice to pass along.
May he Rest In Peace.
— Theresa Colella” Teetah“
We were glad to be able to share in the Service for Howard, a good Man! Spent many great times with Howard and Dorthea on my trips to Bradford. A kind and giving man who lived a full life. Love and thoughts to all the family ??
— Jim & Lynn Thomas
Susan, David and family—I wanted to express my sincere sorrow to hear about your loss. Howard was a wonderful man and so humble. He did so much for Zippo and Bradford. I will miss miss him.
— Bruce Gallagher
To Howard’s Family— We send you our deepest sympathy on the passing of Howard. He was a dear and beloved friend to us and to many others, and it was a joy to have known him for the past 45 years. His love and service to the Bradford community will forever be noted and remembered.
— Jim & Lisa Evans
So very sorry for your loss. Such a wonderful man.
— Gail Moyer
Bradford is a better place because of Howard. He had such a big heart, giving of his time to so many. I am fortunate to have known him and always get a big smile when I think of him and Dorothea. They were the perfect couple. Thank you Howard!
— Jill Dunn
Susie, Mike and David.
Our deepest sympathy with the passing of this great man. He was a man of passion, integrity and great faith. May his sole rest in eternal peace.
— Ruth Pehonsky
Susan and Mike- Saddened to hear of the passing of Mr. Fesenmyer. A wonderful and kind person who will be mi
— Bonny Steck
Susan Mike David Cindy and Jon. We will forever miss Howard. His smiling face and twinkling eyes always happy to see you. His faith and ours tell that he is happy now with his dear Dorothea and Judy. We are honored and grateful to have known him and to call him a friend.
— Bill & Terri Leven
A genuine gentle man. I was honored to work many years under his leadership at Zippo. A wonderful man who will truly be missed. I''m so privileged to have known Howard. God Bless his entire family during this difficult time.
— Carol Vinca
To Susan, Mike, David, Cindy, and Jon. Our deepest sympathies. Howard was a mentor, second father, and member of the family. The world is a better place because of him. Truly the worlds nicest man. He will be missed. Chris, Lisa, Adam, and Ross Keller
— Chris Keller
I join with so many others who knew Howard in offering my deepest sympathy on his passing. Although it is little consolation at this sad time, it should be of no little satisfaction to know that in his passing you can celebrate the life of a man who was held in the highest esteem by all who knew him.
The measure of a life well-lived is not in the material possessions they have accumulated, but rather through the lives they touched and the sorrow they leave behind. If the outpouring of sympathy on his loss is any indication, you can proudly and confidently say that his was indeed a life well-lived.
May you find peace and comfort in knowing that his loss is felt by all who knew and respected him.
With my sincere condolences,
— John Cinelli
Howard sounds like he was a wonderful man. I am so sorry for your loss. I have several Zippo lighters saved that he gave to his sister Ruth Miller (my grandmother). I send love and peace to you all.
— Darcy Watts
So sorry for your loss! Thoughts and prayers with you all!
— Karen & Gary Milliman
It saddens me greatly to hear of Howard''s passing. No doubt, I''m one among many who count themselves fortunate to have spent a portion of their lives knowing, loving, and learning from this wonderful man. Evelyn and I send send prayers and best wishes to Susan, David and family.
— Livingston and Evelyn Alexander
Mike and Sue, we are so sorry for the loss of your Dad. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
— Bill and Barb Black
Sue - my sincere condolences to you and your entire family on the passing of a truly wonderful man. Your dad had an unflappable and kind demeaner - one I wish the rest of the world emulated. Tonight I light the Zippo lighter Howard gave to my father nearly 40 years ago in his honor. He was a good man and will be missed.
— Bob Dilks Jr.
My deepest sympathy to Susan, Mike, David, Cindy, Jon, and Families. I feel honored and blessed to have known Howard. He will be in my heart and memory forever.
— Kathleen Jones
Such a wonderful man, always so kind. Thoughts & prayers to Susan, David and your families.
— Anne Campogiani
Mr. Fesenmyer was a very kind man I knew while I was working at Zippo in the Advertising Dept. He always had kind words to say when we reminisced with me about my parents.
God bless all of you during this difficult time. Fondly
Judy Keenan
— JUDY KEENAN
Howard was the kindness and most humble man I have ever met....always at early mass...he has done so much for our Bradford Community!...My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this very sad time..
— Loretta Sampson