For once, the name of Mark Fisher ’06 was not brought up in context with a trial or a jail sentence. Insead, the life of Fisher was celebrated by his friends at the Egan Chapel last Wednesday.
Two years have passed since Fisher was murdered after a series of unfortunate events which led him into the Brooklyn home of a gang member on Oct. 12, 2003.
Fr. Terrence Devino said the mass for “Fish,” as he was affectionately called by his friends.
“I tried to encourage those gathered that in the midst of the sorrow and grief in our lives we must pray to recognize the companionship of those we’ve loved still in our midst,” Devino said after the event.
The mass, attended by dozens of people, emphasized the positive impact Fisher’s life had on his friends and the lasting memories they will always have of him.
It also stressed the strength of the Fairfield community throughout this grieving process.
Mary Boehmer ’06 gave what Devino calls a “powerful reflection” after communion.
“The light of each other has carried us through these past two years without our dear friend Mark Fisher,” she said.
“I look into the world and see Mark Fisher in many acts of love,” said Boehmer. “I can see where once Fisher was, he is now many.”
“In this room, within his community and his family…the light of Mark Fisher shines on us every single day, brighter and brighter I believe, as the months and the years go by,” she said.
Boehmer also said, “Grief is one of the most patient and persistent of life companions” and urged Fisher’s friends to “carry his love and his strength and his compassion in your heart and you will never be alone.”
“Carry him with you and let him help you with the challenges you will face… let him be a part of all the happy and joyous times you will have in the years to come,” she said.
Boehmer also made packets that she placed on the chairs with a picture of Fisher and a poem on the front page, along with quotations from his friends and other inspirational words.
Vinny Sweeney ’06, a friend of Fisher’s, wrote, “He was a great kid, he carried all the qualities that any man should have…Every moment we spent with him changed our lives, we loved him as a friend and miss him like a brother.”
“He knew he had a family at Fairfield and he made sure we all knew it,” wrote Chris Peters ’06. “We miss him everyday but know he’ll always be right here beside us, sharing every moment as they pass.”
The mass reassured students that Fisher won’t be forgotten.
“Mark had a presence to him that would make a room of people stop what they were doing and look at him,” said Steve Shea ’06.
“Mark was looked up to by people both younger and older than he was…We might have lost a son, a brother, a nephew, a cousin, or a friend, but we definitely gained an angel.”
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