FRED BURTON GOLD of Ventura, California (formerly Homewood, Illinois) passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on December 24, 2016 at the age of 97.
Fred was born in Homewood, Illinois on April 21, 1919, the son of Fred Louis Gold and Ada (Heath) Gold, and like many of that era, he was born at home. The house was built by his grandfather, Fred H. Gold, who was village president, school board member and fire chief. The original Gold home was the first house in Homewood to have running water supplied by the new village water works in 1911. It is noteworthy that this particular house later became the Cordt-Ryan Funeral Home, which prompted Fred to joke that he expected to leave this life in the same place he came into it. In 2006, the building was commemorated with a permanent plaque by the Homewood Historical Society naming it the “Fred H. Gold Home.” It has recently started a new life as the Homewood Science Center.
Fred was the Illinois state champion saxophone player when he was only 11 years old, playing the song “Beautiful Colorado” as his winning selection. The family retains his saxophone and was amazed and amused when he managed to play happy birthday during a family celebration in his eighties.
Fred and his soul mate Esther had a long and wonderful life together. They married on December 18, 1943 in Chicago and immediately headed to California where Fred was stationed in the U.S. Army. After the war, they returned to Homewood, back to the deep community roots of his family. Fred and Esther started their family in 1947, raising their four children with an abundance of unconditional love and a robust sense of humor.
Fred was employed as an agent by State Farm Insurance for approximately 25 years until retiring in 1987. During his time with the company, Fred and Esther were able to travel extensively around the world on trips awarded by achieving sales/productivity goals. They continued to travel well into their eighties.
Fred’s kind nature and excellent sense of humor made him universally well-liked. He and Esther remained extremely active until recently: dining out, visiting friends, enjoying their family. Fred was an avid golfer (recording the score from every game ever played) until health issues stopped him at the age of 93. He enjoyed several hobbies following his retirement, such as: building model ships, creating stained glass décor, shooting pool, and playing cards almost daily with Esther.
A few years ago, Fred and Esther began spending winters in California near two of their daughters. In the Spring of 2016 they left the worries of maintaining a large home behind, and permanently moved into an independent living complex in Ventura, CA. They celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary together on December 18th.
Throughout his life, Fred was the fortunate recipient of all that medical technology had to offer, surviving and thriving after multiple heart attacks, two triple bypass surgeries, and the placement of stents and an internal defibrillator. Special thanks go out to family friends Dr. David Looyenga and Dr. Mila Puray who greatly contributed to maintaining Fred’s ongoing good health.
Fred is preceded in death by his parents, two sisters Eleanor Sachs and Margaret Vincent, and one great-grandson Jacob Riley. He is survived by his beloved wife Esther; their four children: Fred Gregory Gold (Kathleen) formerly of Homewood, IL, Gayle Gold (Dennis Chandler) of Madison, WI, Cynthia Treutelaar (Douglas) of Ventura, CA, and Patricia Gold of Simi Valley, CA; five grandchildren: Julie Gold Wang (Tommy), Brian Riley (Chris), Lee Riley, Jen Witkowsky (Zack), and Christian Hedberg (Elise); and their beloved great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
There will be no memorial service per Fred’s request. In lieu of flowers to the family, donations to the “Homewood Illinois Fire Department Emergency Medical Vehicle Fund” would be welcome, in appreciation for their excellent emergency medical services and the great kindness shown to the Gold family over the years.
Arrangements are under the direction of the JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE, Ventura.