Jack Ernest Fancher

Jack Ernest Fancher, II, of Chestertown, MD, died on December 6, 2022 at his home at Heron Point of Chestertown. He was 83 years old. He was born on September 25, 1939, in Binghamton, NY, the son of the late Jack E. and Ellen Wormsley Fancher. He was a 1957 graduate of Hancock Central School in Hancock, NY, a 1961 graduate of St. Lawrence University, and a 1971 graduate from the University of Puerto Rico, earning a master’s degree in Marine Sciences. Mr. Fancher worked with Navy Marine Sea Transport Service as a civilian seaman. In 1963, he began working in the field of Oceanography with the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, which later became the National Ocean Service within N.O.A.A. He retired in 1997 after 35 years of government service and moved to Rock Hall, Maryland. Jack was proud of his military service with the U.S. Air Force. He began his service in the DC Air National Guard and, following the Pueblo Crisis, transferred to active Air Force service. He was disabled during this service and earned an honorable discharge. In his youth he was a member of the National Honor Society and was an Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts. Jack was a member of the Chestertown Arts League and served as Vice President and President, later becoming a founding board member of the Chestertown RiverArts. He was also a member of the Working Artists Forum in Easton for many years. Jack has been a member of the Greater Rock Hall Literary Society and Book Club, Rock Hall Yacht Club, and the Rock Hall Walkers & Talkers. He moved to Heron Point in 2017 where he was active with the Resident Council and a member of the Art Interest Group. In bygone years, he enjoyed sailing, racing for 10 years with a team with CBYRA, sailing from the Caribbean to Nova Scotia. He learned SCUBA diving while in high school and had numerous certifications, including as a NOAA trained diver. He also enjoyed cross country skiing, dancing, sailing, and wanted his second career in retirement to be as a painter of pictures. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Fancher of Chestertown, MD; two stepsons, Brian Carbaugh (Brandi) of Elkins, WV, and Christopher House of Gaithersburg, MD; three stepdaughters, Anna Dulik of Great Falls, VA, Teresa Hamilton of Tuscaloosa, AL, and Janise Griffin of Pinehurst, NC; a sister, Sandra Last of Henrietta, NY; a brother, Richard Fancher of Columbia, MD; five step-grandchildren, Heather House of Knoxville, TN, Hollie Rodgers of Nashville, TN, Lauren Covington of Washington DC, Christopher House of Western MD, and Benjamin Carbaugh of Elkins, WV; and two step great-grandchildren, Evander Rodgers and Rosie Covington Griffin. A celebration of life service will be held on Friday, December 16, at 12:00 p.m. at Fellows, Helfenbein, and Newnam Funeral Home where relatives and friends are invited to a reception to follow. Interment will be in St. Paul’s Cemetery following the reception. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Mainstay (PO Box 238, Rock Hall, MD 21661), Chestertown RiverArts (315 High St., Chestertown, MD 21620).

Jack Ernest Fancher

September 25, 1939 - December 6, 2022