Michael David Guy Fisher, known to almost everyone simply as Fish, passed away suddenly on 27 July 2026 at the age of 55. Kind, gentle and endlessly loyal, he leaves behind a lifetime of friendships and memories that will be treasured by all who knew him.

Fish grew up in Loughton and lived in the area for most of his life before finding great happiness with his fiancée, Yvonne, and moving with her to Windsor.
He went to Forest School, where he forged some early friendships that would stay with him for life; Niteen Sharma and Mike Davies to name a few.
He developed a lifelong love of Manchester United. He was a season ticket holder and a regular visitor to Old Trafford, especially during Sir Alex Ferguson's all-conquering years.

At the age of 16, he joined Crostyx Hockey Club as part of the newly formed Colts team, along with three famous Nicks; Duck, Gillett and Stoneham. Much as he loved hockey, he loved touring even more, and a few years later, after Raj Patel joined the club, Fish, Nick Gillett and Raj started a mixed hockey touring side which they called the Wacky Racers.

The Wacky Racers would become one of the great passions of his life. Over the next decade they toured relentlessly, creating friendships that would last a lifetime across the UK and beyond. Fish was never the loudest personality in the room, but he didn't need to be. His kindness, warmth and quiet humour made everyone feel welcome, and countless players came to regard him as the heart of the Racers.

Fish also loved a ridiculous drinking game. Whether it was "Top Shelf", "Bingo Balls" or another creation from his wonderfully mischievous imagination, he delighted in bringing people together for a session of fun and laughter. He wasn't always the best at his own games either. On one memorable golf trip to Majorca, after insisting everyone play "Touch the Cup", the tables turned spectacularly and he had to finish most of a bottle of Amarula himself - earning the nickname "Amarula Boy" which stayed with him for years.

Fish never sought the limelight. He was happiest surrounded by friends, laughing quietly at the latest nonsense, always ready with a pint, a joke or a reassuring word. He had a rare gift for making people feel they belonged, and because of that he accumulated friendships that lasted decades.

After a visit to Miami where Raj was based at the time, Fish fell in love with the city. From then on, he seemed to want every major milestone in his life to involve another trip to Miami. While that dream remained unfinished, there was at least one unforgettable substitute: a stag week in Singapore after Raj moved there. It was a small affair with Fish, Raj, Niteen and Simon Gilbert and for part of it, Martin Haigh. However, it was a legendary week, culminating in Fish somehow getting his hands on a dance trophy.

He was generous to a fault. If Fish had money in his pocket, there was a good chance he'd spend it on everyone else before himself, whether that meant buying another round or making sure no one felt left out.

Fish played his final game for Crostyx at the end of the 2025/26 season, bringing to a close 40 years with the club he loved. In the last 15 years he had also grown to love golf and enjoyed playing across the UK and abroad in places such as Singapore, Germany and Spain. These were pretty much the same affair as hockey matches – playing with his mates, having a few drinks and having lots of fun.

He leaves behind Yvonne, his sister, Jane and family members, and an extraordinary number of lifelong friends whose lives were richer for having known him. Although gone far too soon, his kindness, humour and spirit will live on every time old friends gather, raise a glass and tell another Fish story.

Let’s close with an extract from Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne that sums up Fish’s impact on so many people; “We'll be friends forever, won't we, Pooh?" asked Piglet. "Even longer," Pooh answered.

Rest easy, Fish.

Michael’s funeral will take place at 2pm on Wednesday 12th August at Greenacres North Weald.