He enlisted in the Army Air Force and went to Biloxi, Mississippi for boot camp, attended electrician school at Geiger Field in Spokane, Washington, and also was stationed at Ft. Bragg and in Hawaii for a year. In 1948, he was discharged from the Army Air Force and returned to Farmington to go back to school and graduated from high school in the class of 1949. While in Farmington, he met and married Estelle Lambert. They had five children; Michael Collins, Pamela Parker, David Collins, Brenda Merrill and Kelly Gleason.
Meanwhile, as the Korean Conflict was heating up, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy CB Reserves in 1950 and served until 1955. While finishing high school, Fred worked part time at the First National Grocery Store as produce manager. In 1950, he went to work for the school system in Farmington where he did maintenance and was a licensed electrician, retiring in 1981.
Fred resided in the Bangor/
Hampden area for ten years, then moved to the Bath/Brunswick area where he has resided since. He enjoyed fly fishing, playing cribbage, collecting coins, cars and photography. He was an avid Celtics fan and loved to watch basketball, football and baseball on TV. He was a member of the Bath Senior Citizens Center and the United Methodist Church of Bath.
He is survived by; his five children; one sister, Helen DeLauro of Indiana; eight grandchildren, ten great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by; his wife Estelle; three brothers, Wendall, Robert and Charlie; and one sister, Jeannie Moore.
Donations in Fred’s memory may be made to the American Heart Association, 51 US Rte 1, Suite M, Scarborough, ME 04074.
Graveside services with military honors will be held on Saturday, September, 22, 2012 at 10 am at the Fairview Cemetery in Farmington with Pastor Neil Gastonguay officiating. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Dan & Scott’s Cremation & Funeral Service, 488 Farmington Falls Rd., Farmington, ME.
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