FREDERICK P. APPLETON JR. ’43
Frederick P. Appleton, aged 95, passed away peacefully surrounded by family, friends, and caregivers in his home at Lake Prince Woods on Thursday, March 24, 2016 after a two year battle with cancer.
Born in Brooklyn, NY, Fred spent his childhood years in Montclair, New Jersey followed by his college years (with an interruption for military service) at Wesleyan University in Connecticut, from which he graduated in 1946.
Fred entered military service in the Navy in 1942 as an Ensign and retired from active duty as a Lieutenant Commander in 1951. He was a pilot who saw significant action in the Pacific Theatre in World War II, and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for a rescue mission off an enemy occupied island.
He married Kathryn Steik (Bobbie) in 1951 – a marriage of 65 years. He was father to four children; Rick, Bonnie, Diane, and Jim and grandfather to five; Zach, Darcy, Britt, Cassie, and Kelly. He was preceded in death by his siblings Bob and Ann, and by his daughter Bonnie.
Fred spent his entire career with the New York Telephone Company, from which he retired in 1983. He, Bobbie, and their family also spent many wonderful years at their summer home on Long Beach Island, New Jersey.
A Memorial Service with military honors is planned for Wednesday, April 20th at 2:00 pm at Lake Prince Woods in Suffolk, Virginia. He will be interred in a family plot at Mount Hebron Cemetery in Upper Montclair, New Jersey. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the United Church Homes and Services Foundation (Lake Prince Woods Continuing Care Retirement Community).
Fred will be missed by all who knew him; he was a good, courageous, caring man who lived a full and wonderful life.