WILLIAMSBURG — Thomas Richard Fischel died Wednesday, March 10, 2021, in Williamsburg. He was born Feb. 13, 1930, in Prague, Czech Republic, to the late Victor A. Fischel and Albina Fischel.
He grew up under the German Occupation and had to leave school to finish his schooling in England after the end of World War II. His education was further interrupted following the Communist Putsch in what was then known as Czechoslovakia. Fischel asked for and was granted political asylum in Britain. After a year’s stint as a day laborer, he won a scholarship from the Czech Refugee Council. He was then able to finish Huddersfield Technical College in 1951. Fischel immigrated to Montreal, Canada, in 1952 with his bride and started his long career in the Tereza synthetic fiber business with Courtaulds Canada LTD.
In 1960, he became the director of marketing for the Firestone Synthetic Fiber Company in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, and New York City. In 1966, he began working with Dow Badische in New York; Hamburg, Germany; and finally, Williamsburg. He was awarded the Torch of Liberty Award of the ADL for his industry in Atlanta, Georgia, in July 1990, before retiring as group vice president of BASF Corporation, Fibers Division, in June 1994. An avid sailor, he continued to make his home in Williamsburg with his wife, Pat.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Liba Tomek Fischel; and son, John.
Fischel is survived by his wife, Pat Stewart Fischel of Williamsburg; daughter, Deborah Ann Fischel, and her husband, Dr. Grant Nisson, of Traceys Landing, Maryland; brother, Jindrich Fischel of Prague, Czech Republic; and stepsons, Roger, Keith and Gordon Stewart. Fischel will also be missed by his grandson, Roger B. Stewart (Courtney); granddaughter, Anne Stewart; and mourned by his nieces, Eva Sebek and Hedi Fischel in Prague.
He was of no religious faith, has been cremated and his ashes scattered. There was no funeral or memorial service. If you would like to do something nice in his memory, a contribution may be made to: The John V. Fischel Memorial Endowment Fund, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, 6 Herndon Ave., Annapolis, MD 21403.
Share online condolences with the family at Nelsen Funeral Home.
