Former racehorse, Freehold Raceway and Gaitway Farm owner Kenneth R. Fischer passed away on Saturday, August 13 at his home in Freehold, New Jersey
at the age of 93.
Fischer, who was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1918, graduated from Malverne, New York High School in 1935, and then joined American Export Lines as a merchant seaman before serving in the U.S. Merchant Marine Corps during World War II. Upon returning from the Mediterranean theatre of operations, he joined his father and brother at Greenwich Mills Co., a purveyor of coffee, tea, and spices, primarily to passenger ships in New York City and other ports. He became president and principal owner of the business for many years before it was sold to Chock Full o' Nuts Corp. in 1986.
Prior to retiring from the coffee industry, Fischer became active in the standardbred horse racing business, as he acquired Freehold Raceway and Gaitway Farm in Manalapan, New Jersey. He has owned numerous racehorses over the years, and also built and owned Knob Hill Golf Club. A longtime resident of Essex Fells, Fischer was an active member of Essex Fells Country Club.
He is predeceased by Evelyn, his wife of 58 years, and leaves behind his three sons, Kenneth, Jr. of Chesapeake, Virginia., Gary of W. Orange, and Jeffrey of Plymouth, Massachusetts.; eight grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements will be made by the Hugh M. Moriarty Funeral Home, 76 Park St., Montclair. The family will receive visitors from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Friday, August 19. A funeral service will be held at the parlour at 8:30 p.m. A private interment will be held in Port Washington, New York on Saturday morning, August 20, followed by a memorial service at Knob Hill Golf Club, 1 Shinnecock Drive, Manalapan, NJ at 2:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Fischer's name be made to the Arthritis Foundation, P.O. Box 96280, Washington, DC 20077, or the Standardbred Retirement Fund, 108F Old York Road, Hamilton, NJ 08620. For directions and online condolences please visit moriartyfuneralhome.com.
(With files from legacy.com)