SALEM - Charles “Brud” J. Friedline, 90, of Salem, died Wednesday, November 4, 2009 at his home.
Born in Camden, NJ, he was the son of the late Charles & Beatrice (Keating) Friedline, He attended schools in New Jersey and then in Lynn.
He was employed for many years as a cashier for Suffolk Downs Race Track in East Boston, Wonderland in Revere as well as race tracks in Florida. He also worked as a security guard and payroll transport for Covert Armored Car Services in Lynn which secured him a role in the movie “Six Bridges To Cross” with Tony Curtis.
Mr Friedline was a WWII veteran of the US Army, assigned to the 29th Infantry Division of Combat Engineers, serving 30 months in England and France. He drove half-tracks and was number 2 man on the 50 Caliber machine gun. He served 3 years with the Armored Calvary, Army Reserves in Boston. While in the Army, he wrote letters to numerous people and still kept in touch with former Army buddies and friends in England. His name appeared in the Armed Forces Stars and Stripe paper for receiving the most mail of any enlisted man.
He was a member of the American Legion, AMVETS, V.F.W., and the YMCA where he was the Y’s men President, working many years with the Marines on Toys For Tots.
Brud played baseball in Florida with the Half-Century Club. As a child, he was a newsboy in Lynn and worked with his father at the Lynn Last Shoe Factory
Brud enjoyed traveling to Florida, Canada, England and all over the Northeastern United States. His hobbies included post card and stamp collecting and slide shows of the family.
He is survived by two sisters, Dorothy L. Carey of Peabody, Viola and her husband, Orlando “Ted” DeVito of Highland, CA, nephews and nieces, Charles Carey, Cheryl Carey, Geraldine Vietze, Nancy Miranda, Phyllis Sneathen, Carol Monaco, Gene Doughty, Diane Shah, Katherine Burke and several cousins, grand nieces and grand nephews. He was predeceased by one sister, Maybelle Doughty.
His funeral service will be held Monday, November 9, 2009 at 10 am at the Full-Spychalski Funeral Home, 84 Washington Square East, by Salem Common, Salem. Visiting hours are Sunday, 2 to 5 pm. Relatives and friends respectfully invited. Burial is in Pine Grove Cemetery, Lynn. For on-line guestbook and directions, visit www.SalemFuneral.com.