John H.“Jack” Fiedler

1949-2026

Jack Fiedler, 77, passed away at his home on Sherman-Clymer Road on Sunday, May 31, the way he lived his life – on his own terms. He’d been quite ill for a while but refused to leave his home of more than 50 years unless there was no other option.

He was the first child of the late John H. and Marjorie Allen Fiedler. Born in Hamburg, NY, on May 15, 1949, he spent much of his youth in Penfield, NY, before the family moved to Lakewood when he was a teenager. He attended Southwestern Central High School and Lee Academy in Massachusetts.

‘Happy Jack’ was born with cerebral palsy at a time when not much was known about it. He regularly defied doctors’ expectations. At first, by surviving. Then he learned to walk and to drive go-carts. He eventually learned to ride a bike and then there was no stopping his adventures. Jack was a Boy Scout, rising to the level of Eagle Scout, and was accepted into the Order of DeMolay, an organization for youth dedicated to building leadership, character and fellowship. He obtained his driver’s license as an adult, making him fully independent. He was sole operator of a small dairy farm in Sherman for many years.

The accompanying photo was taken during one of the family’s summer vacations in Honey Harbor, Canada. Jack took great pleasure in being around water, especially at Honey Harbor, Sebec Lake in Maine, and of course, Chautauqua Lake. He loved boating, fishing, swimming and even water skiing. He also hunted, and rode and cared for horses. Later years saw him tooling around his property on an ATV. Jack also was an accomplished tall-tale-teller, scaring his sisters with stories of Sasquatch sightings and other alarming phenomena.

In addition to his parents, Jack was predeceased by his brother, Robert A. Fiedler, in 2020.

His survivors include his sisters, Ann Gammons of Holley, NY, Katherine Fiedler of Syracuse, and Susan Fiedler (Tim Rudd) of Lakewood; a niece, Olivia Allen of Lakewood; and two cousins, Debbie Stepniewski of Angola, NY and Alison (Dave) Jones of Amherst, NY.

Jack’s family would like to acknowledge Dr. Adnan Munir for the empathetic and compassionate care Jack received for many years. They also are grateful for all the help and companionship provided by his friend Ted Blanchard. It has been deeply appreciated.

His mother believed the 1897 poem “The House By the Side of the Road” could have been written about Jack. “Let me live in a house by the side of the road / where the race of men go by / The men who are good and the men who are bad / As good and as bad as I �- Let me live in my house by the side of the road, and be a friend to man.”

Services will be private. Lakeside Funeral Home, Hamburg, is in charge of arrangements. He’ll be buried at Lakeside Memorial Park, Hamburg, with his parents and his brother.

Consider donating to the following organizations in his name:

Visiting Nursing Association of Western New York at foundation.kaleidahealth.org/donate. Choose “VNA of Western New York”.

Sherman Volunteer Fire Department PO Box 574 Sherman, NY 14781.