FOR THE AGES

Max M. Fisher, 1908-2005

Mourning Max

Funeral service pays tribute to Detroit's "quiet diplomat."

HARRY KIRSBAUM

StaIf Writer

H

e'll never be replaced. A man like
Max M. Fisher comes along once
in a lifetime. Philanthropist,
Zionist and fund-raiser extraordinaire, his
life of service to those in need gave hope to
millions of people around the world and
gave an international voice to the Detroit
Jewish community.
Mr. Fisher died in his Franklin home on
March 3, 2005. He was 96.
More than 1,250 people paid tribute to Mr.
Fisher during a funeral service on March 6 at
Congregation Shaarey Zedek in Southfield.
Dignitaries included Gov. Jennifer
Granholm, Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick,
U.S. Sen. Carl Levin, former U.S. Secretary
of Energy Spencer Abraham, former Gov.
John Engler, U.S. Reps. John Dingell and
Sander Levin and pro golfer Raymond
Floyd, a family friend.
A delegation of 30 Israeli officials, head-
ed by Sallai Meridor, chairman of the
Jewish Agency for Israel, flew in to pay
their respects to the family at the funeral.
Security was in place, but nearly invisi-
ble. While notables, including the Israelis,
had personal protection, site security was
under the protective and tactical units of
the Oakland County Sheriff's Department
and the Southfield Police.

Heartfelt Tributes

The eight eulogies were filled with charm-
ing and amusing anecdotes about the quiet
and legendary leader.
Grandson Anthony Cummings of
Birmingham, for instance, told of how he
and his sister Caroline enjoyed cuddling
with their grandparents.
"Yes, Pops was a cuddler," he said.
Robert Mosbacher of Houston, former U.S.
Secretary of Commerce under former
President Bush, began by reading letters of
condolence from three presidents: Gerald
Ford, George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush.
Then Mosbacher told the story of how
the widowed Mr. Fisher met his second
wife, Marjorie Switow, in 1952.
"He attended a party at [friend] Carolyn
Alexander's home in Detroit. He was soon
74 smitten — bowled over by a petite, dark-
haired beauty who descended a staircase in
a red dress.

3/10
2005

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