John Conrad Fuchs, 82; 'Mr. Enthusiasm'

On Aug. 11, 2016, John Conrad Fuchs, U.S. Navy Veteran, of Parkville, beloved husband of Dolly Jean Fuchs for 61 years; devoted father of Charles W. Dalton, of Concord, CA, John G. Fuchs and his wife Robin, of Aptos, CA, Jeffrey E. Fuchs and his wife Mary, of Fairfax Station, VA; dear brother of Claire Hallock and her husband Mike, George Fuchs and his wife Cathy; loving grandfather of Taylor Jean Irene, Jeffrey Edmund, II, Catherine Elizabeth, and Madeline Jeanne Fuchs. Also survived by many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

John was born on April 19, 1934, to John and Helen Fuchs. He went to school at Sacred Heart in Baltimore. He was a proud product of his close family upbringing, Catholic faith, and Highlandtown childhood. After playing many sports in Patterson Park, John went off to serve in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Donner. These were formative years for the young sailor, and he made many close friends that would span his lifetime.

Upon his return from the Korean War, he met the love of his life, a country girl named Dolly Jean Knighton. Theirs was truly a wonderful love story, which produced three sons and four loving grandkids. They were married for 61 years and held hands for every day of "that many splendored thing."

John went on to have a very successful career at the Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company. He worked his way up from a lineman to a manager and ultimately a Subject Matter Expert (SME).

John's nickname for much of his life was "Mr. Enthusiasm" and it fit. He never met a stranger. He had many friends including his softball team, F-troop. He was loved by all. He spent the last years of his life in the warm embrace of the Brightview Senior Living community in Perry Hall.

To his close family and friends, he was simply known as Padre. We are all so thankful to have him in our lives, and we will miss him terribly. However, his boundless enthusiasm and love of life will live on in each one of us. The measure of one's life is not only by how much you have loved, but also by how much you are loved by others. On a scale of 1 to 10, he was a 20!

Family and friends will honor John’s life at the family owned Evans Funeral Chapel and Cremation Services – Parkville, 8800 Harford Rd. on Monday, Aug. 15, 2016, from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. A funeral liturgy will be held 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2016, at St. Ursula Catholic Church. Interment Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in John’s name may be made to Alzheimer’s Association Greater MD Chapter, 1850 York Road, Timonium, MD 21093-5142, or feel free to donate to a charity of your choosing or more importantly continue to life your life with Faith, Hope, Charity and Love. Leave the world a better place as John did.