What do Jerry Garcia and Michael Fletcher have in common? They both performed their final show on this planet on July 9th - Jerry in 1995 and Fletch in 2019.
With bravery and confidence, Fletch left this world on his own terms, and with a few loved ones by his side. After three years of struggling with ALS, he’s finally at peace - and probably mountain biking at this very moment (with Sophie running up the trail behind him).
Fletch grew up in Ohio with his parents Mark and Mary, and brothers Jerry and William. In his youth, he played every single sport and excelled at each of them. He met Susanne in their early teens, and her being the world’s most beautiful, compassionate and fun-loving person, he never left her side. He became a fixture at the Della Torre household, and was considered a son by Frank and Jeanne, and a brother to Gene and Julie. They officially became family after he married Susanne in 1982. Months later, Sarah B. was born, and the Fletcher trifecta was complete.
In the 90s, inspired by a trip to Telluride with his good friend Vance Carter, he decided that Colorado was the perfect place for him to create a home for his girls, and that Durango would be the headquarters for the many active pursuits he enjoyed.
In his 55 years, he lived a full life that flourished through his many friendships. He and his twin soul Susanne travelled often - from trips touring Europe, to visits to San Francisco and Vancouver, to camping along the coast of Baja, California... and they made friends at every single stop along the way. Their big smiles and infectious laughter drew people to them, and lifelong friends were made easily.
A doctor of orthodonture, his knowledge knew no limits - from esoteric facts to historical events to scientific concepts that others couldn’t grasp. This awe-inspiring intelligence fueled his silly sense of humor and frequent witty remarks. In fact, in his final moments with his daughter, he chose to tell a joke in an effort to lighten the mood.
After his diagnosis, he respectfully withdrew from many of his relationships, as it was important to him that his friends and family remember him during happy times: taking pleasure in wine and a good meal, rafting down the Animas River, seeing live music, hiking in the mountains, floating on Lake Powell, and countless other adventures. What we’ve went through as a family is devastating, and he didn’t want to subject people to this tragedy any more than he had to. Please know that this very hard decision for him was made out of love.
His last night together with his wife and daughter was spent sharing an intimate and incredible meal, which provided us with the closure and acceptance needed in order to courageously say goodbye to the patriarch of our small family.
In lieu of flowers, we ask that you please donate to the
ALS Association so more research can be done, and less lives lost, due to this terrible disease.
All of my friends come to see me last night
I was laying in my bed and dying
Annie Beauneu from Saint Angel
Say "the weather down here so fine"
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