Obituary of Dale Lee Fletcher

Dale L. Fletcher Dale Lee Fletcher, 66 of Bainbridge, passed away on Monday, December 15, 2014 in Norwich, NY. Dale, also known as Santa by many who loved him, was born on Christmas day in 1947 at the Conamore Nursing Home in Bainbridge, NY. He graduated from Afton High School in 1966 after attending grade school at the one-room schoolhouse in Coventryville. He earned a bachelor equivalent in Engineering while in the Navy, for which he served from 1966-1973. During his Navy service, he spent considerable time in Antarctica, specializing in electronics, pneumatics, and nuclear reactor control and design. He also worked at Insterlab, working with the National Bureau of Standards in Dayton, Ohio, as well as NYSEG in Oneonta until retirement in 2010. During his five years of retirement, he travelled the country extensively with his wife and cat, living full-time in an RV fondly referred to as "the yurt." Dale loved playing Santa, very much looking the part, especially on his birthday – Christmas day. He loved his family very much and he never met a stranger. He was known for his sense of humor, strong hugs, love of travel, and his tendency to string stories together like nobody else. He is survived by: his wife Ethel Forward; two daughters: Nicole Richie (husband Michael) of London, OH and Michele Dishun (husband Tim) of Franklin, OH; two stepdaughters, Mary Putman (husband Rob) of Johnstown, NY and Nicole O-Pries (partner Lindsey) of Richmond, VA; four siblings: Harvey Fletcher (wife Judy), Emma Srinsky, Dennis Fletcher (wife Linda) and Norman Fletcher (wife Dede); grandchildren: Jessica Wilson, Lane Back, Hannah Putman, Kyla Dishun and Tyler Dishun; great grandson, Gabriel Gilliland and many beloved nieces and nephews. Dale was predeceased by his parents, Ernest and Helen (Mitchel) Fletcher and his brother-in-law, Michael Srinsky. Friends may call Saturday, December 20, 2014 from 1-3 PM at C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel 21 Main St. Sidney; a memorial service will follow at 3:00 PM in the funeral chapel with Rev. Joyce Besemer officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Dale's memory may be directed to the First Congregational Church UCC, 113 County Road 27 Bainbridge, NY 13733 or to Hospice & Palliative Care of Chenango County, 21 Hayes St. Norwich, NY 13815. Condolences and memories may be shared online at www.landersfh.com. Arrangements are under the direction of C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel Sidney.