Frederick H. Baldwin, Sr.
Former Owner of Tewksbury Paint & Hardware
TEWKSBURY, MA: Frederick Henry Baldwin, Sr., age 96, a resident of Tewksbury for over 60 years, recently of York, Maine, passed away at home in the care of his family on Thursday, November 9, 2017.
He was the beloved husband of Barbara C. (Beal) Baldwin, who passed away on July 21, 2011.
Born in Chelsea on June 25, 1921, he was the son of the late George and Freda E. (Leal) Baldwin.
Fred was raised in Medford and graduated from Medford High School in 1939.
In 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps and served during World War II with the 425th Air Force Base Unit as a Waist Gunner on the B-24 Aircraft.
He was awarded numerous decorations for his active duty service including the American Theater Service medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Medal with 2 Stars, the Good Conduct Medal, the Air Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Distinguished Unit Badge.
In May of 2015, Fred’s service during World War II was recognized by Honor Flight New England with a trip to Washington D.C. to visit the World War II Memorial.
Prior to his retirement in 1986, he owned and operated the former Tewksbury Paint & Hardware Store, a Tewksbury landmark for decades.
He and his late wife were active members and supporters of St. Anne’s Episcopal Church in Lowell, where he served for many years as a Vestry person.
Fred was active in the Tewksbury community and was a member and past officer of several civic organizations including the Tewksbury Lions Club, where he was past President, and the Tewksbury Golden Age Club and Senior Walk In Center, where he was a drummer in the band known as the “Silvertones”.
Fred also volunteered his time to the Open Pantry of Greater Lowell by using his van to make food deliveries to those in need.
He loved spending the summer months in York, Maine, where he owned a home for a number of years. He also enjoyed attending socials at the Tewksbury Senior Center, and was a passionate New England sports fan.
Fred is survived by his daughter, Marcia Foster and her husband Harry (Hank) of York, ME; his daughter-in-law, Ellen Baldwin of York, ME; three grandchildren, Christopher Baldwin of West Hollywood, CA, Katie Baldwin Watts and her husband John of York, ME, and Christian Foster of Cape Elizabeth, ME; three great grandchildren, Sawyer and Nora Watts, and Lucas Foster; also many nieces, nephews, and extended family members.
Fred was predeceased by his son Frederick H. Baldwin, Jr., who passed away on March 11, 2001.
Calling hours are Sunday, Nov. 12, from 4-8 p.m. at the Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee St., Tewksbury. His funeral procession will begin on Monday, Nov. 13, at 9:45 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by his Funeral Service at 11 a.m. at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, corner of Merrimack & Kirk Sts., Lowell. Interment at Tewksbury Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Fred’s memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701, the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516 Topeka, KS 66675, or the Tewksbury Senior Center, 175 Chandler St., Tewksbury, MA 01876.