Dr. Morris Joseph Fletcher

Dr. Morris Joseph 'Murray' Fletcher, DDS, of Lake Worth, Florida and formerly of Kingston, died Saturday, May 6, 2006 in Wellington, Florida. He was 88. Born April 19, 1918 in Newark, NJ, he was a son of the late Alexander Fletcher and Mary Pomeranz Fletcher. He was raised in Patchogue, NY. Dr. Fletcher received his bachelor of science and doctor of dental surgery degrees from the University of Illinois. He also was a graduate of the Dewey School of Orthodontics. A US Navy Veteran, he served in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. Dr. Fletcher maintained a dental practice in Kingston from 1945 until his retirement in 1982. He was a member of the Ulster-Greene Dental Study Club, New York State Dental Society, and the American Dental Assocation. As an inventor, Dr. Fletcher held a patent on a hand-controlled air driven dental handpiece. Dr. Fletcher was a member of B'nai Brith and Congregation Agudas Achim. He was a former member of the Kingston Lions Club and Wiltwyck Golf Club. He was an avid duplicate bridge and chess player, enjoyed skiing, tennis and was an antique automobile enthusiast. Survivors are his wife of 61 years, Dr. Shirley Berman Fletcher, three children, Pamela Dixon and her husband Thomas of West Palm Beach, Fl., Dr. David Fletcher and his wife Brenda of Kingston, and Dr. Robert Fletcher and his wife Diane of West Hurley; seven grandchildren, Robert Dixon of New York City, Michael Dixon of Key West, Florida, Joli Fletcher of Kingston, Zachery Fletcher of Lake Tahoe, California, Joshua Fletcher of Kignston, Jason Fletcher of New York City and Alex Fletcher of Albany, one brother, Dr. Samuel Fletcher of Miami, Fl.; many neices and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted Monday, May 8, 2006 at 12:00 at the Simpson-Gaus Funeral Home, 411 Albany Ave. Rabbi Hecht will officiate. Burial will be at Montrepose Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Ulster County, 34 Broadway, Kingston, NY 12401 and Congregation Agudas Achim, PO Box 3573, Kingston, NY 12402. Shiva will be observed at the residence of David and Brenda Fletcher. May his memory be for a blessing.