Honoring the Life and Legacy of
Milton Fishman
Obituary
Milton Fishman, 92, of Sandy Springs, Georgia, formerly of Valley Stream, New York, passed away August 20, 2022. Preceded in death by his beloved wife of 44 years, Harriet, Milt was the adored father of Eileen Fishman, Claire Fishman (Elizabeth Crowder), and Dianne Hensley (Trevor). Devoted grandfather of Rebecca, Gillian, Bryce and Roran.
Anyone who had the pleasure to know MIlt would often hear him say he was “the luckiest guy in the world.” Born in 1929 in Manhattan to Russian immigrant parents, Milt was a proud graduate of Stuyvesant High School. He had a storied career of nearly 50 years in the film industry, which he affectionately referred to as the “motion picture business.” He began his career in the mailroom at Universal Pictures in Manhattan. After a tenure at United Artists, he retired from Columbia Pictures as Senior Vice President of Worldwide Administration.
Not only was Universal Pictures his first job, but it also was the place he was introduced to a young comptometer operator, Harriet Joseph. When they ended up commuting on the same subway to and from Brooklyn, their friendship turned to romance. The couple married in October 1963.
After 36 years as a city boy, Milt moved his growing family to Long Island where he continued his love of sports (as a spectator) and made friendships he cherished forever. Then in 2003, the lifelong New Yorkers, Milt and Harriet, moved to Georgia to be close to their daughters and new granddaughter.
Although Milt’s family will be commemorating his passing privately, they welcome all who wish to celebrate his life to share stories, memories and photos on this platform. While some may wish to send flowers or food at this time, the family kindly asks that you instead please share a kind thought or memory on the website as that will bring them the greatest comfort.
Slideshow
Photo Gallery
90th Birthday Tributes
Please enjoy this compilation of well wishes for Milt celebrating his 90th birthday in 2019.
I will always remember Mr. Fishman as a kind, generous and very intelligent man. I so enjoyed hearing his stories over lunch at Sweeney’s/Pearsall’s and of course Sweet Tomatoes! He was never late for a lunch date – he always arrived “Fishman time”. The only way I survived any trivia game played with the Fishmans was if Mr. Fishman was on my team! I looked forward to receiving his holiday letter every year letting us all know what he was up to and to read about how proud he was of each member of his family.
It is very touching to read the impact that Mr. Fishman had on so many people. It is no surprise to me. Mr. Fishman was a wonderful man who will be greatly missed. However, his memories will live on forever. May he Rest In Peace . Love to all of you!
I would like to share a short essay that I wrote for a college application a little less than a year ago. The prompt: “Please provide more details on your most meaningful commitment outside of the classroom while in high school. [250 words]”
“Rebecca, grab me a Diet Coke. No ice,” he would say in his New York accent straight from The Godfather.
My days are filled with routine school, extracurriculars, musical pursuits, volunteering, and homework. But some of my most meaningful time has been spent taking care of my now 92-year old grandfather, “Poppy.”
Poppy is like no man I have ever met. His indescribable wit and mental sharpness are unmatched. As a child, I would sit in awe as he mentally computed collegiate-level math while simultaneously looking up the Yankees score from the night before.
Things are different now.
Over the past few years, I have watched as Poppy’s mobility and memory have been compromised. I have observed his strength and stubbornness in dealing with these newfound diminished abilities, as it is difficult to comprehend that my grandpa is not immortal like I had always hoped. Born to Russian immigrants during the Great Depression, he maintains a lifelong pursuit of independence. But his independence is fleeting.
I listen to his stories. He never criticizes me, but he asks me hard questions and pays attention when I answer. I don’t feel judged. I just feel heard.
Time with my grandfather is so incredibly special to me. He’s taught me how to work. How to love. How to live. He’s a force, and I can only hope to live such a long life— a life filled with even a portion of his strength and character.
“No ice. So I get my money’s worth.”
Not even two weeks ago, this essay was simply a supplementary writing piece for a college that I decided not to attend; however, now, my words have never held more truth.
Poppy was the best, and my only, grandfather. He fostered my love for true crime, as we would watch Blue Bloods and Hawaii 5-0 on the couch while he would feed me chocolate-covered grahams, chocolate wafers, and the occasional rotten soft pretzel (alright, it was only once!). When my friends and I would go to the mall, it was like a scavenger hunt to find Poppy walking, but he would always be there — book in hand. Poppy’s generosity was unmatched. I was fortunate enough to have dinner with him at least once a week during my childhood, but I would never hear the end of “Rebecca, you had to get the most expensive meal.” One of the most entertaining parts of being in public with my grandpa was when he would ask waiters/waitresses to guess his age … they were invariably 20 years off, at least!
I was always aware that I had an older grandfather, so one of my lifelong dreams was for Poppy to watch me graduate high school. I am immensely fortunate to say that my dream came true this May. And I believe that my grandma was spiritually with him when he was able to sit outside at my graduation party for three hours.
I don’t quite know what life will be like without Poppy, but I will forever live with the nothing but fond memories I have of him.
Love you, Poppy.
Rebecca
Great tribute Rebecca!
Rebecca, that is beautiful!
It is so hard to put into words our feelings. Milt was a very special person who will be greatly missed by our entire family. We had so much fun with Harriet and Milt especially when we went to the italian feast in LITTLE Italy where we introduced Milt to calzones and zeppolas. MILTS STOMACH WAS NEVER THE SAME. Friends like Harriet and Milt only come along once in a lifetime and we were lucky to have them in ours. Ralph will miss Milts phone calls and all the Birthday cards that he never forgot to send I would like to thank Milt for the PASTIES that he bought for me. I will always cherish them.
I remember meeting Mr.Milton once at a holiday event of Rebecca’s for (at the time) First Montessori. He was kind to me, and supportive of her. I remember her eyes lighting up whenever she looked at him.
I’m so lucky to have had such a wonderful person as my great uncle. Uncle Milt was always so warm, inviting, and a great storyteller. I loved going to his and Aunt Harriet’s house whenever we were in Valley Stream and listening to his experiences in the film industry. Then, spending time together in Georgia – going to minor league baseball games and Sweet Tomatoes. Seeing the joy he brought to so many people, especially his grandkids, was inspiring. I hope to touch as many lives as I know Uncle Milt did in his 92 years on this Earth.
Love you, Uncle Milt. You will be so so missed.
Elizabeth Charlip
An amazing father, Uncle & friend. Will miss you.
Uncle Milt,
For the few times we’ve met ! You been such a wonderful man and are so loved by your family. May you Rest In Peace. I’m so glad to have been able to meet such a sweet man like yourself.
Melody Charlip.
Claire, Eileen, Dianne and their families, my deepest sympathy on the passing of your dad.
Celebrate his life through the wonderful memories and times you shared. Love, Lois
Capobianco
Thoughts of Uncle Milt immediately take me back to my childhood in Valley Stream. Any time I’d go around the corner to visit, Uncle Milt would be sitting on his couch, remote in hand, clicking through the channels at lightning speed. I remember thinking, “He’s going so darn fast, how can he even see what is on?!”, but I knew it was either some kind of sporting event or an old movie! Fast forward many years later, when I would visit in Atlanta. Uncle Milt would always take us all out to dinner (usually to his favorite place, Sweet Tomatoes, much to the dismay of all 3 Fishman sisters!!?) and insist that it was his treat. He would always want to catch up on the latest happenings in the Charlip family, and showed real interest in what each of the kids was up to. Even on our last visit just over 2 months ago, he made a point of asking about the kids as well as my sister, Anne. What a blessing for Larry, Sarah, and I that we got to spend that time with him!! He was quite a man who will be missed by many!! How lucky we were to have had him here for 92 wonderful years!
Love you, Uncle Milt!
Uncle (don’t call me uncle, it makes me old) Sonny, (as Milt was known before he got married) was a man who loved life and which is exemplified by the wonderful daughters he and Harriet raised and the even more spectacular grandchildren. My earliest memories are in the Bronx when I would come to visit when I was too small to reach the 5th floor elevator button.He would be ensconced in his easy chair within arms length of the TV, bouncing up and down to change channels to watch all the sports shows being broadcast (Probably no more than 3.). TV Remotes were not invented yet. That was fun and our relationship only got better with time. From my experience interacting with some of his friends at hockey games, and many other people over the years, anyone whose life he touched, was better for the experience. We will miss him more than we can express.
Saddened to hear about the passing of Mr Fish. We should all make it to his age! God bless him.
I have found memories of Mr Fish in Gibson, VS. I remember him as a teenager the day Brian and I laid sod for him on your front lawn and did his landscaping thereafter – like it was yesterday! I would always see him on the LI railroad commuting into the city and while working in Rock Cntr. He was a good-looking man and always looked sharp in a suit & tie. He was a great guy and I’m sure he will be sorely missed by all.
Or deepest condolences to you Eileen, the girls and your sisters.
It’s our loss that we didn’t get to know Milt better. In what little time we got to spend with him, he was charming, funny, and told wonderful stories. Looked up to me since I was the only one he knew that was older than he. We did enjoy paying tribute to wonderful Milt at his 90th birthday celebration. He was truly loved and will be sorely missed by all. Wayne and Lorraine
To say I was sad to hear of Milt’s passing is an understatement. My family and I send our deepest sympathies to Eileen, Claire, Dianne, Elizabeth, Trevor, Rebecca, Gillian, Bryce and Roran. Milt has been a dear friend to me and our entire family for 50 years. John and I treasured all of the fun times we had with Milt, Harriet, Barbara and Ralph and our families. Our family had the good fortune to move in next door to the Fishmans and we and our families became fast friends. Before we even moved in, my husband and I noticed that someone had been cutting our lawn, and guess who it was? You guessed it, it was Milt! That’s the kind of guy he was. Always kind, caring, supportive, fun – just one of the best guys you will ever meet and one of the best friends you could ever have. We and our families shared lots of fun times together – barbecues, picnics, parties, get togethers, dinners, family nights at the pool, holidays, milestone events and challenging times. He and John used to go to Schaefer’s Bakery early on Saturday mornings to get hot, fresh rye bread and those delicious jelly doughnuts that both of them and the kids loved. Even after we both moved from New York, we would see each other in Georgia and made new memories there with the kids and grandkids. He and Harriet, their children and partners, and their grandchildren are all family to us and we are so grateful to have them all in our lives. I found the perfect birthday card for Milt this year and wanted to share it here as it sums up how I feel about him to a tee:
You’re the kind of man more men should be like –
Good to your family and friends,
GENEROUS and THOUGHTFUL,
True to your word.
That’s what makes celebrating you SO EASY.
That’s why this wishes you all the happiness you deserve,
Which is pretty much all the HAPPINESS in the world.
Rest in peace, dear friend. Sending you my love. I will miss you very much. But it brings me great comfort to know that Harriet and John welcomed you with open arms.