Donald Fischer

Donald “Don” Fredrick Fischer, 82, of Kissimmee, Florida, passed away peacefully at home on March 15, 2025, surrounded by his loving family and his loyal dog, Lucky. Don was born on June 14, 1942, in Chicago, Illinois, to the late Lillian and Frank Fischer. A proud native of the Windy City, he graduated from DePaul Academy in 1960 and went on to serve as a CTA bus driver, beginning a lifelong career in transportation. While Don worked a variety of jobs throughout his life, his passion for the open road and helping others guided him to his most cherished position: driving truck for Marshall Fields, where he would meet the love of his life, Tammy. They married on May 4, 1996, and together, they created a beautiful family, welcoming two children, Shawn and Ashley. In 2006, Don and Tammy made the bold decision to relocate to Florida, seeking warmth and sunshine after years of enduring the harsh Chicago winters. A few years later, in 2010, Don began an exciting new chapter with Universal Orlando Resort, where he served as a Yacht Captain. In this role, he had the distinct honor of ferrying many prominent individuals, including celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse. His colleagues affectionately nicknamed him “The Dock Father,” a testament to the respect and admiration he garnered from those around him. After a fulfilling tenure as a Yacht Captain, Don found himself drawn back to his true passion for ground-based transportation, transitioning to a beloved role driving buses and providing essential service to Universal’s guests and employees. His dedication, warm demeanor, and strong sense of responsibility made him a beloved figure on the Universal campus, where he was always ready with a kind word or a helping hand. Beyond his professional life, Don was deeply committed to serving his community. A dedicated member of the Knights of Columbus, Don gave tirelessly of his time and energy to support charitable efforts and the broader community. His leadership within the St. Thomas Aquinas Council was marked by his rise to the rank of Deputy Grand Knight, but it was his personal acts of generosity that truly set him apart. Don's most cherished legacy in this regard was his annual donation of Universal Studios tickets to the graduating eighth-grade class at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School, ensuring that every student could partake in the memorable trip to Universal Orlando Resort. Don’s devotion to his family and community was unwavering. He was a proud and loving husband to Tammy for 28 years, and a devoted father to his children. His family meant the world to him, and he was the embodiment of a family man, always putting their needs and well-being first. His love, guidance, and generosity will be remembered fondly by his children, grandchildren, and countless extended family members. In 2022, due to health reasons, Don retired from Universal Orlando Resort, but his spirit remained unbowed. Never one to sit idle, he quickly found new purpose as a crossing guard with the St. Cloud Police Department. With decades of experience in transportation, Don excelled in this new role, ensuring the safety of schoolchildren at one of St. Cloud’s busiest intersections. His kindness, sense of duty, and dedication to his community were evident in every interaction, and he quickly became a beloved figure within the crossing guard community. Don’s memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. His legacy of service, kindness, and unwavering devotion to his family and community will never be forgotten. He leaves behind his wife, Tammy Fischer; his children, Brian Fischer, Debbie Fischer, Shawn Fischer, and Ashley (Jacob) Meyer; his brother, Raymond (Cynthia) Fischer; his grandchildren, Megan Fischer and Brooke Fischer; his nieces and nephews Timothy McAndrews, Tony (Nichole) McAndrews, Richard (Julie) McAndrews, Jenny Fischer, and Mariana (Arthur) Stone; and numerous extended family members and friends. Donald Fredrick Fischer is preceded in death by his mother, Lillian Fischer; his father, Frank Fischer; his sister, Dorothy Cantrell, and her husband, Thomas Cantrell. A wake will be held in his honor on Sunday, March 23, 2025, from 5pm to 8pm, at Osceola Memory Gardens, located at 2000 13th Street, St. Cloud, Florida. A funeral mass will follow on Monday, March 24, 2025, at 10:30am at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, located at 700 Brown Chapel Road, St. Cloud, Florida. Donald Fredrick Fischer will be laid to rest on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at 9:30am at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery, located at 5525 U.S. Highway 1, North Mims, Florida. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Don’s name to The Knights of Columbus, Council 6624, at 2000 Neptune Road, Kissimmee, Florida 34744.

Donald Fischer

June 14, 1942 - March 15, 2025