Leonard Everett Fisher is a Westport icon.
One of our our town’s most cherished artist/illustrators, he’s designed 10 US postage stamps. His works hang in the collections of the Smithsonian, Library of Congress, New York Public Library, Yale Art Gallery and New Britain Museum of Art.
He’s also a World War II veteran. Between 1942 and ’46, as a topographical mapmaker he planned, edited and produced maps for campaigns in Italy, France, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and the aborted invasion and occupation of Japan. In 2013 he served as grand marshal of Westport’s Memorial Day parade.
A longtime Westporter, Fisher just turned 95. Last night, at the Westport Arts Center — of which he’s a founding member, past president and current board member — friends, fans and family members celebrated his birthday.
Leonard Everett Fisher, last night at the Westport Arts Center.
Fisher has seen the WAC in and through many incarnations, from an itinerant organization, to its home at the then-closed Greens Farms Elementary School, to its current home on Riverside Avenue.
Now, the Westport Arts Center is on the move again. It will relocate soon to new digs at 19 Newtown Turnpike.
Fisher looks forward to being there for the grand opening. And for many shows and events to come.
A very talented and sweet guy and Marge, his aide de camp is no slouch either. Great guy. Great couple.
Keep blowing out those candles Len!!
A very talented and sweet guy. Marge, his aide de camp, is no slouch either. A great guy and a great couple.
Keep blowing out those candles Len!!
Happy Birthday to an amazing man and thank you for all you have done to make Westport and our world a better place!
My wife and I saw him speak a few years ago when he was “only” 90 or 91 at a WAC retrospective exhibit of his work—and we chatted with him for a bit about one of his paintings set in the Brooklyn of his youth. He was amazingly vibrant—he seemed decades younger in certain respects. I’m sure his longevity is partly due to good genes, but I imagine his lifelong love for what he’s been doing in the arts has played a role as well.
Leonard is a wonderful person. I know him through my late cousin Martin Wunsch. They grew up together in Brooklyn.
Happy Birthday to a very special man! The Fishers were great neighbors and wonderful family!
Happy Birthday Len, from your Max’s family!!
IN THE SUMMER OF 1943 I SPENT SOME TIME IN A CAMP LOCATED BETWEEN FORT TI AND SCHROON LAKE. IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY ONE OF THE CAMPERS WAS ARLENE FISHER WHOM I BELIEVE WAS LEONARD EVERET FISHER’S DAUGHTER. AM I CORRECT?
I doubt it. If he was born in 1924, he would not have had a camp-age daughter in 1943. He was serving in World War II then, as a 19-year-old.
Happy birthday to Westport’s Renaissance Man Len Fisher! What a life (so far)……It has been my pleasure knowing and working with you for over twenty years at the Hysterical Society. Keep on keeping on, Len!
Happy Birthday Mr. Fisher
Hats off to you