Shrewsbury – Alfred C. “Fred” Acciardo, Maj. USAF Ret., of Shrewsbury, died Monday, March 31, 2014 in UMass Memorial Healthcare – University Campus in the care and presence of his wife. He was 87. He died after a long struggle with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy.
He was born August 20, 1926 in Barrington, Rhode Island, a son of the late Pasquale and Elvira (Conca) Acciardo, and graduated from Peck High School in Barrington. He later earned a degree from the former Edgewood Jr. College.
Fred joined the United States Air Force in its Pilot Training Program in 1953 and honorably served his country until 1972, when he retired with the rank of Major. His service to the country saw him through both the Korean and Vietnam wars.
He always had a fascination with aeronautics and professed he was born too early to be an astronaut. He had such admiration for the early pioneers of aviation and had a keen interest in the military, aviation, NASA, and our space program. He belonged to the Military Officer Association of America.
Upon retirement from the Air Force, he moved to Dallas and was a free-lance private pilot for country singer Charley Pride, and escorted him across the country and Canada for his concert tours.
Fred married Linda L. Magnuson Oct. 22, 1988, and they shared their time between Shrewsbury and Venice, Florida. He loved the game of golf and enjoyed membership at Plantation Golf & Country Club in Venice and playing within its men's club.
His family thanks the staff of Neuro-Rehab Center at Worcester for the wonderful care given to Fred over the last year. Also, words of thanks to the entire staffs of the Emergency Department and 6th Floor ICU at UMass Medical – University Campus.
In death Fred, joins his parents and his siblings, Pasquale Acciardo Jr., Robert Acciardo, Evelyn Giarusso, and Ann Verrier. In addition to his wife of 26 years, Linda, he leaves his sisters, Dorothea Sagan of North Fort Meyers, Florida and Eleanor Gagnon of Clemmons, North Carolina, and many nieces and nephews.
Family and friends will honor and remember Fred's life by gathering for calling hours Sunday, April 6, from 4 – 7 p.m., in Heald & Chiampa Funeral Directors ~ The Sumner House, 5 Church Road, On the Common, Shrewsbury Center, and again Monday, April 7 in the Salem Covenant Church, 215 East Mountain St., Worcester, where his funeral service will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Rev. Mark Frykholm will officiate. Burial will follow with full military honors in All Faiths Cemetery.
Honor Fred's memory with a contribution to Cure PSP, 30 E. Padonia Road Ste. 201, Timonium, MD 21093 or Salem Covenant Church, Organ Fund, 215 East Mountain St., Worcester, MA 01606.
