Pomfret Center- Frederick L. Bigelow, 70, of Pomfret, passed away Thursday July 17, 2014 at UMASS University Hospital. He was the beloved husband of Joyce (Rivard) Bigelow. Born in Brunswick, ME, he was the son of the late Ronald A. and Georgia M. (Wallace) Bigelow.
Mr. Bigelow was proud to have served in the US Navy as a signalman on the USS Moale in the early 1960’s. He owned and operated Bigelow Lawn & Garden, after retiring from Southern New England Telephone Company. He loved to read, play darts, croquet, garden and spend time with his loving family and friends. He enjoyed Jeopardy, crossword puzzles and shooting pool. Fred was a competitive member of the Pomfret Croquet Club and the Minute Man Dart Club and also of the VFW in Manchester. He was well loved and will be deeply missed.
In addition to his wife, Fred is survived by his daughter, Rebecca Lambert and her husband David, of Woodstock; son Michael Bigelow and his wife Marian of Hampton;
Grandchildren, Danielle, Samuel, Aaron and Rachel Lambert and Shayne, Gregory and Kyleigh Bigelow; Sisters Judith Bohman of Marlborough, CT, Linda Klimasewski of Georgia and brother Richard Bigelow of Oregon and nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his brother Gregory Bigelow.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Fred’s family from 5:00pm to 8:00pm on Friday July 25, 2014 in the Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church Street, Putnam. A gathering will begin in the funeral home at 9:00am on Saturday July 26, 2014 followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00am in St. James Church, 12 Franklin Street Danielson. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association, PO Box 417005 Boston, MA 02241-7005. For memorial guestbook visit www.GilmanAndValade.com.
Stephanie
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Fred. He always had a way of brightening a day! He will be greatly missed by the Tractors 2 Trimmers crew!
teri metsack
Joyce, Becky and Mike.
I am lost for words. I have been thinking about Fred and each of you since i learned of his passing. I go back to those days on the lake and all the wonderful times we had. Fred was an amazing man and he did love each of you so much. Please know you are all and will be in my prayers. God bless you each.
love Rich and Teri.
Keith & Dena O'Hara
To the dearest family of Fred Bigelow. Please accept our sincerest condolences on the passing of your Husband, father, grandfather & friend. You are all in our prayers & thoughts.
May the grace of God & the strength of your beloved one fill you soul.
With much love & friendship, Keith, Dena , Rachel, Kate, Dylan, K.C., Rhone, Duun & Teagan O’Hara
Alice Dudeck
RIP Fred. You will be sadly missed by so many people.
Phyllis Miller
Dear Joyce, Becky, Mike and family:
My heartfelt sympathies are with you in this time of deep sorrow. Fred was like a big brother to me and I have wonderful memories of family gatherings. He was a kind and giving man. I will miss him… My prayers and thoughts are with you all – may he rest in peace… love always, Phyllis
HENRY GREGOIRE
Joyce and family I am deeply saddened to learn of Freddie,s Passing.As youngsters growing up we were inseparable friends.He was loyal to me in our buddy years as he was to his wonderful family throughout his life.He was a gift to all of us and we were blessed to have him in our lives.
ana feanny
Dear Joyce, I am so sorry. It is never easy. Take comfort in the happy memories that you shared. Sincerely, Ana Feanny
John & Kathy Casey
Fred was a very gentle man, kind and considerate.
John and I extend our deepest sympathy to you, Joyce, Becky and Michael.
Thom Burns
Joyce & family I am so sorry for the loss of a wonderfull man and competitor. He always brightened the room.
Patrick Collins
My heart goes out to Fred’s family. I’ll always remember Fred for his patience and understanding. Back in Manchester in the 60’s, I was a new hire with the phone company and Fred was my teacher. He was a great guy to work with, and I succeeded in my career due to Fred’s diligence and the great knowledge he passed on to me. Rest in peace Fred.
John
Fred was an absolutely great neighbor and friend for 30 years and I will forever miss his wit and wisdom!! he was one of the ‘good guys’ !!!!!
Bobbi and Denys Shorthouse
Dear Joyce,
Our deepest sympathy to you and your family. Fred was such a joyful friendly person. He will truly be missed.
Catherine Belliveau
Dear Joyce and family,
The girls and I would like to express our heartfelt sympathy for your loss. May the love of your family and friends bring you peace during this difficult time. Our thoughts are with you. Love Catherine Belliveau, Olivia and Sophia
Nancy & Jim Sirianni
To the moustache guy; always the nicest gentleman in the room. Our buddy. You’ll be sadly missed forever. Peace and sympathy to your beautiful family.
teri metsack
Dear Joyce,
I always want you to remember what a WONDERFUL wife you were to Fred. Your love showed in everything you did and you made him very happy and proud. Hopefully knowing this will in some way give you a little peace.
Love you,
Teri.
Dan Lapp
I enjoyed meeting Fred at our WHACK & ROLL Croquet Tournament. Fred was a gentleman and will be remembered for his kindness, great croquet and of course his most impressive mustache.
My symathy to you and wish you God’s comfort.
Dan Lapp, ,
Isabelle & Paul O'Connell
Dear Joyce and Family,
Sorry to hear about your loss. We will miss Fred, but we will always remember him and the wonderful times that we shared with him at family cookouts and gatherings. May the peace and comfort of God be close to your hearts at this trying time. Will keep you and your family in my prayers.
Love,
Issy & Paul
Maggie Belliveau
Dearest Joyce , Becky, and Michael,
Words can never express the deep sorrow we all have in the loss of our dear Fred. He has left us all with wonderful memories of his life, his love of books, his love of croquet, and especially his pride in his grandchildren and their achievements. We will always be there for you Joyce. Please visit often. Love always, Ron and Maggie
Ford Fay
Dear Joyce and family,
I never met a friend like Fred. He was very competitive and loved the game of croquet. While driving to the Whack and Roll tournament in Harleyville PA we talked about our strategy and I kept telling him our objective was to make wickets and points on each turn. On our final game, in the senior division, he placed his ball on the court and methodically went about his business of roqueting balls placing them ahead of his wicket and moving from wicket to wicket as he “ran the court.” It was something to see. Yes, we won the senior division. He was in his glory. I will miss my friend and great croquet player.
Ford
Scott, Maggie, & Kate Miller
Dear Joyce, Becky, Mike and all your families,
We were shocked and saddened to hear of Fred’s passing. Although I didn’t get to see you both in recent years , you were always in my thoughts.
Maggie & I were just talking about Fred the day before we heard about his passing and remembering how funny and what a kind soul he was.
He is in our thoughts and we will miss him.
Love
Scott, Maggie & Kate
Scott, Maggie, & Kate Miller
Dear Joyce, Becky , Mike and your families,
We were shocked and saddened to hear of Fred’s passing.
Although I didn’t get to see you both in recent years, you were always in my thoughts.
Maggie and I were just talking about Fred the day before we heard about his passing and remembering how funny and what a kind soul he was.
He is in our thoughts and we will miss him.
Love
Scott, Maggie & Kate
Stuart Peaslee
The moments with Fred meant a great deal to me. They mattered then, more now, and the caring will live on.
Our heartfelt condolences to the family,
Patricia Bellingham
Dear Joyce and Family
I am so deeply sorry for your loss.
I am sorry I did not know until my Aunt Irene just told me. I know what a wonderful husband, Father, Grandfather, brother and friend Fred was. This must be a very painful time for you all. Again, I cannot say how sorry I am. May God Bless you and give you comfort. Sincerely Patricia
Stephen Bellingham
Dear Joyce and family
I am very sad to hear of Fred’s passing. We will keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time .
Sincerely,
Stephen Bellingham and family
Paul Bellingham
Dear Joyce and Family
I am very sorry to hear of your loss. I last saw Fred at my brother Stephen’s wedding reception many years ago. We had a wonderful chat. I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Paul Bellingham
Christine Lichatz
Dear Joyce, Rebecca, & Michael,
Dear Judy, Linda, & Richard, …and your families,
Though we are sad to hear of Freddie Bigelow’s swift and sudden passing, we are happy and the better for having known him as a neighbor and friend, as the husband and father he became.
Fred was a bright and pleasant fellow, a steadfast man in his work, easy-going in manner, and readily engaged in interesting conversations on just about everything.
I hear his lighthearted “Hello, there, Chrissy! What’s new?” as I write.
My brothers and I grew up a little bit in awe of Freddie.
Mr & Mrs B’s Beach Boy blonde son had eyes that sparkled when he talked about trees and nature while he pitched in to help repair a broken bike, laying out the tools and strategy (I can fix my own to this day 🙂 .
Fred encouraged me to pursue landscaping as an art when I was 19, and always asked how my projects were going over the years. I practice the craft to this day.
Positive encouragement is a priceless thing. I’m betting Fred gave it freely to most everyone who knew him.
Joyce, I couldn’t have picked a better sweetheart for my young-girl crush to find as his life’s partner! When Fred introduced you to the Lichatz family, we were delighted and I was relieved, because Fred was all set!
Judy, Linda, & Richard you lucked out to have Fred as a brother and the family he gifted you. Enjoy your memories as they come.
On behalf of our mom, Helen Lichatz, my brothers, John & Matthew and our families, I send heartfelt, loving thoughts your way to comfort you during this time of loss. Your family has been there for us for so many years. We hope you take comfort in our prayers and gratitude
Fond regards and much love,
Christine Lichatz
Laurie Masciandaro
I only just learned of Fred’s passing. I am so sorry–I knew him because of his willingness to help with croquet, and even from that brief encounter, I knew he was a lovely man.