Shrewsbury – Frederick L. Breed died at home Friday, April 13, 2012. He was 94.
Born Jan. 10, 1918 in Swampscott, he was a son of the late James Arthur and Marion L. (Tarr) Breed and a graduate of Swampscott High School, class of 1935. He then graduated from Burdett College in 1937. He honorably served his country in the United States Navy during World War II. On Sept. 30, 1945, in the First Congregational Church of Swampscott, he married the former Evelyn F. Pike and 66 years later she was by his side in their home when he died.
Admired for his gift to gab and a good conversationalist, Mr. Breed worked in sales for the Sun Oil Company for over 26 years. In 1952, he and his wife moved to Shrewsbury where he later founded Worcester Radio Distributors, currently WoRad Inc., a radio communications company located in Worcester. In his earlier days of Worcester Radio, he was lovingly referred to as “Uncle Fred.” In 1998, at the age of 80, he turned the operations of the company over to his son, Stephen.
Mr. Breed was an active member of the First Congregational Church in Shrewsbury, and was a 65-year member of the Masons. The date of Feb. 6, 1947 marked his induction to the Wayfarers Lodge in Swampscott and, recently, he transferred his membership to Philanthropic Lodge of Marblehead, as well as membership in the Matthew John Whittall Lodge of Shrewsbury.
Having grown up on the North Shore, he was an avid boatman, both in sailing and power boats. Active in mind and body, he enjoyed a good crossword puzzle or a book to read. Remembered as a man of the greatest generation, he instilled a hard work ethic in others while maintaining a terrific sense of humor. Having lived almost a century, he kept up with technology and enjoyed computers and researching genealogy. Yet, in the end, what made Mr. Breed happiest was the company of his family, as recent as the week before Easter where he held his newest great-grandson, Jaxson.
In addition to his wife, Evelyn, he leaves his children, Stephen A. Breed and his wife, Darlene, of Holden and Janice E. Karelius and her husband, the Rev. Canon Bradford Karelius, of Laguna Niguel, California; his grandsons, Erik Karelius of Laguna Nigel, Michael J. Breed of Oxford, and Jonathan F. Breed and his wife, Corinne, of Ashland; his granddaughter, Kathryn Karelius of Laguna Nigel; and his great-grandchildren, Julia M. and Jaxson G. Breed. He is also survived by his nieces, Connie Breed, Rosemary Moore and Audrey Breed. He was predeceased by his brother, James A. Breed Jr.
He will be greatly missed by his family.
The family would like to thank the UMass Memorial Hospice nurses and staff for their kindness and care during his brief illness.
His family will gather to honor and remember Fred at a private graveside service in the family lot at Pine Grove Cemetery in Lynn. There are no calling hours. The Heald-Chiampa Funeral Directors of Shrewsbury are assisting with arrangements.
Mr. Breed's memory may be honored with a contribution to the First Congregational Church, Building Fund, 19 Church Rd., Shrewsbury, MA 01545.
