FOR THE AGES
Max M. Fisher, 1908-2005
MOURNING MAX
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U.S. Sen. Carnevin, his wife, Barbara, and U.S.
Rep. Sander Levin arrive at the funeral.
U.S. Circuit Judge Damon Keith, left, delivered
one of the eulogies.
Survivors
our city, nation and the Jewish people — to
care deeply about those who are in pain."
Alan E. Schwartz, a Detroit attorney,
described Mr. Fisher as "an optimist and a
visionary who planned for a better future for
our communities and did so with an uncan-
ny judgment of what, when and how such
things might be made to happen.
"He had a unique sense of timing —
he would somehow sense the very right
moment for bold initiatives to be fash-
ioned and to occur. If new ground was
to be broken, it was to Max that we would
go for advice and leadership,"
Schwartz said.
He said Mr. Fisher "brought optimism to
challenges born from his unshaken confi-
dence in the dignity of all people.
"He would see the brightness of the
future while others were consumed only
with the darkness of the moment."
Rabbi Loss ended the 90-minute service
by saying: "It is asked in the Book of
Psalms, who shall ascend the mountain of
the Lord and who shall stand in His holy
place. The first answer offered: He that hath
clean hands and a pure heart.
"Such a man was our Max Fisher." IVF
Our Hero, Pops
"My grandfather, Pops, was a man
of vision, humility and, above all, a
man of great moral worth. My
cousins, sister and I have discussed
on numerous occasions the chal-
lenges we faced growing up in Max
Fisher's shadow. This shadow was
cast not by his prolific business,
political and community success, but
ANTHONY
rather by the high moral standards
CUMMINGS
he set for all of us.
"Pops demonstrated tremendous heart and the capacity to
love as he cherished the time he shared with his grandchil-
dren and great-grandchildren. As the years passed, he was
more and more available to us. He loved the personal inter-
action. He was kind and challenging at the same time; dis-
playing an unwavering interest in a wide range of activities,
3/10
2005
12
Max Fisher is survived by his wife, Marjorie Fisher; daughters and sons-in-law, Jane
and D. Larry Sherman of Franklin, Mary Fisher of Florida, Julie and Peter
Cummings of Birmingham, Marjorie Fisher of Birmingham; son and daughter-in-
law, Philip and Lauren Fisher of Bloomfield Hills; grandchildren, David and Ellen
Sherman, Sylvia and Randy Wolf Scott and Robbie Sherman, Max Fisher, Zachary
Campbell, Chase Fisher, Amanda Fisher; Abigail Fisher, Blake Fisher, Alexis Fisher,
Keith "Casey" and Dina Cummings, Anthony Cummings, Caroline Cummings,
Andrew Aronow and Alissandra Aronow; great-grandchildren, Jessica, Andrew,
Dakota, Joshua and Lilli Sherman, Stanley and Aviv Wolf Samantha, Justin and
Emily Sherman, Megan, Nathan and Maxwell Cummings; sisters and brother-in-
law, Anne and Lew Rose, Dorothy Tessler; and sister-in-law, Joyce Burkoff
He was beloved husband of the late Sylvia Krell Fisher; the devoted brother of the late
Gail Fisher Ross; the dear brother-in-law of the late Frank Tessler, the late David Ross
and the late William Rosen.
Interment was at Clover Hill Park Cemetery. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel.
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We'll also provide additional coverage and a gallery of exclusive photos not
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whether he was talking figure skating with Alissandra,
hockey with Andrew, football with Chase or just telling
Max that he loved him. He had a sincere interest and love
for us all.
"Pops was a great listener. His responses were thoughOd
— laced with lessons for us to learn. He recognized our suc-
cesses; yet constantly he would challenge us to elevate our
goals and reach for bigger dreams, all within a clear moral
framework. A recurring topic was the list of priorities. If
education, work and family were not at the top, he would
make sure before our discussion was over that we were ques-
tioning why this was not the case.
"Sports served as an excellent link between Pops and his
grandchildren. In fact, just last year, at the age of 95, he
attended Andrew Sherman's football game at Cranbrook in
Bloomfield Hills. Having a grandson who excelled in foot-
ball made this former all-state nose tackle from Salem,
Ohio, extremely proud.
"Over the last two years, my grandfather accepted his
health challenges and limitations gracefully. A testament to
his tenacity and resolve, he attempted to learn how to walk
again after his hip replacement surge?), at the age of94. He
never complained. He never lost his dignity.
"I would like to recognize my grandmother, Marjorie,
whose loyalty, love and devotion to my grandfather was
miraculous. She remained by his side, never spending a
night away from her loving husband. Her mere presence
was the sunshine in his day.
"I want to express that the private Max Fisher, the family
man, ultimately was as great a man as his public persona.
Pops made us all feel speciah whether it was a kiss on the nose
or inspiring words of encouragement. While he may not be
with us as he used to be, Pops will live on through the great
works of his lifetime and the lessons he taught us. He will
remain in our heads and hearts, urging us to do the tight
thing. He was our hero, our grandfather: We love you Pops."
Anthony Cummings, a grandson of Marjorie and
Max Fisher is the son of Julie and Peter Cummings of
Bloomfield Hills.