Darryl Dean Fisher, Sr.

Sgt. Darryl Dean Fisher, Sr., proud veteran of The United States Army, passed away Friday, August 29, 2025 at age 63 in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Born July 19, 1962 to Paulette McKnight and Kenneth ‘Skippa’ Fisher at Queens General Hospital in New York City where his siblings affectionately called him “Dean.” He graduated Jamaica High School as its star varsity basketball player known as the “Big Fish.”

His passion for service defined his life's most courageous chapters. He enlisted at age 18 serving from 1980-1984. In 2005, he returned to active duty after 911 as a military police officer and combat medic serving with distinction during Operation Iraqi Freedom. His quick thinking and bravery were on full display as he pulled several soldiers from a burning tank. As part of this service, he was awarded The Iraq Campaign Medal, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Global War on Terrorism Medal, Armed Forces Reserves Medal W/M Device Medal, and The Army Service Ribbon. His service was highly valued and earned him the rank of Sergeant and retiring with honors due to a leg injury.

In his civilian life, he met the love of his life, Cynthia Willis and later found his passion working as a substance abuse counselor. They were married on April 22, 1995, and shared many good years. In 2024, after a long period of care in Rhode Island following his disabling accident, Cynthia brought him home to Worcester to oversee his care personally.

He was preceded in death by his children Tamiya Davidson and Da'Shawn Davidson, as well as his father, Kenneth Fisher, and his mother, Paulette Fisher-Archie.

He is survived by his life partner, Cynthia Willis; his sons Darryl Fisher Jr., DeVille Fisher (Jazmin), and Dymik Davidson; and his siblings, Nicole Fisher and Ricky T. Fisher (Valerie). He also leaves behind seven grandchildren—D'OlJuan Hayes, Taneya Fisher, Ivan Fisher, DeVille Fisher II, A'Deana Fisher, Jadah Davidson, and Shia Eastman—along with his Aunts Laura McNeil, Shirley Fisher, Brenda Hollaway (John) Doreen Herbert and his Uncle Kenneth McKnight (Lorraine) His friend Julia “Judie” Paudel and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation will be on Friday, September 19, 2025, from 9 am until 10 am in the Mercadante Funeral Home & Chapel, 370 Plantation Street, Worcester. His Funeral Service will follow at 10 am in the funeral home. Interment will be at 1 pm at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 111 Glenallen Street, Winchendon, MA.