Peekskill Sanitation Worker Mourned at Funeral Mass

John E. Fischer II, a Peekskill sanitation worker who died Monday of head injuries he suffered when he fell from a garbage truck April 13, was mourned today during a funeral Mass that drew more than 300 people to the Church of the Holy Spirit.

His mother, Madeline Fischer, is secretary at the Roman Catholic parish, 1969 Crompond Road in Cortlandt.

“John was creative, with the heart of an artist,” the Rev. Thomas P. Kiely, pastor and principal celebrant of the Mass, said during his homily, referring to Fischer’s written and photographic works. “Creativity is God’s gift to us; our response is our gift to God,” he continued, “and John’s response was to share his gifts and bring people closer to God. …
“We are a pilgrim people, we are all on a journey” to the Kingdom of Heaven, the pastor said, but “Nobody can journey alone. Therefore, God sends us helpers – parents, siblings, spouses, teachers and friends. … We can learn from John’s journey to share our gifts and talents freely with one another.”

After the Mass a motorcade of several dozen vehicles made its way to Assumption Cemetery off Oregon Road in Cortlandt, where Fischer was buried next to his sister, Jennifer Fetzer, who died in January 2009.  

Samples of Fischer’s writing and photographs were on display during visiting hours Wednesday at the Nardone Funeral Home in Peekskill and in brochures distributed at the funeral home and the church.

Fischer, who turned 40 last week, would have marked his 10-year anniversary as a city employee in December 2012. The city is planning a safety review in the wake of the “sad accident,” Mayor Mary Foster said.