BETHEL — At the Jan. 28 meeting of the Bethel Historical Society’s board of trustees, a resolution was passed to establish the Gordon A. Fish Exhibits Fund with a $10,000 bequest recently received by the society for this purpose from his four children. This fund and any additional gifts received to support the organization’s ongoing exhibits program will be added to the society’s investments and the income used for the purpose intended.

A 32-year member of the society who believed strongly in its mission to preserve the history of the White Mountain region of Maine and New Hampshire, Gordon Alvin Fish (1922-2010) was born in Berlin, N.H., the son of Alvin and Zelma (Hill) Fish. After graduating from Berlin High School in 1940, he found employment at the Berlin Foundry. A year later, he moved to Flushing, N.Y., to work at LaGuardia Airport and, afterward, the Ford Instrument Company.

On May 25, 1945, he married Joyce Whitcher of Berlin, N.H. After a year, Gordon and Joyce moved to St. Johnsbury, Vt., where they raised four children. Gordon was employed in the Department of Engineering at Fairbanks Morse Scale Company for 40 years.

In his leisure time, Fish enjoyed hiking, camping and square dancing. He was a member the 4,000 Footer’s Club, having climbed all of the New England mountains over 4,000 feet. His love for climbing took him across the ocean for two climbing trips in Europe. During the summer, Fish enjoyed car camping with his family and weekend trips to the family camp on North Pond, near Locke Mills.

Fish was also very involved in the credit union movement. He served for many years as the president of the Fairbanks Credit Union, which later became the Northern Lights Credit Union. He also served as a board member of the Vermont State Credit Union League. In addition to his credit union activities, Gordon started and served as president of both the Fairbanks Activities club and the Fairbanks Golden Age Club.

Founded in 1966, the Bethel Historical Society is western Maine’s largest and most comprehensive historical agency. With nearly 1000 members, the society fosters a sense of place, with a focus on western Maine and the White Mountain region, by collecting, preserving, displaying and interpreting historically significant artifacts and documents for residents, visitors, students and scholars. Through its exhibits, programs, events, and publications, the Society strives to make the region’s history meaningful, accessible, and enjoyable.

For more information call 824-2908 or 800-824-2910 or visit www.bethelhistorical.org.

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