Obituary for Frederick Peabody
UNION – Frederick Earl Peabody, 91, passed away peacefully January 9, 2023 with family by his side after a brief stay at Togus Veterans Hospital.
Fred was born in Appleton on Peabody Road to Quincy and Elsie Wiley Peabody. He was predeceased by his loving wife of 69 years, Margie, his parents; three brothers, Richard, Arthur, and Bobby; one sister, Janet Tolman; and a daughter-in-law Gina Peabody. He is survived by his brother Douglas, and his four children, Deborah Peabody and her wife Doreen Kendall, Melody McDermott and her husband Charles, Timothy Peabody and his wife Barbara, Alan Peabody; his grandchildren, Sean and Elizabeth McDermott, Benjamin Peabody, Andrew Peabody and his wife Tami, Anna Peabody and her husband Mike Eberhard and Zoe Perpall; his great-grandchildren, Trinity and Taryn Peabody; as well as multiple nieces and nephews. He was proud to be the longest living of anyone in the “Peabody family”.
Fred left the farm in Appleton to join the Airforce in 1953. During training he graduated at the top of his class as a “Jet Engine Specialist”. His pride of military service stayed with him to his last days at Togus. From the Airforce he returned to the farm in Appleton to care for his grandmother. It was this return to Maine where he became captivated by a young schoolteacher Margie Blake. They were married in 1954 and bought a home in Union and spent their entire married life on Wotton’s Mill Road raising four children. Fred supported his family as a truck driver for Boston Rockland Co., Sanborn’s Express, and finally his retirement from APA Transport in 1992. He had a love for the open road and was recognized for years of safe driving with all the companies. In his time off Fred had a passion for the outdoors enjoying hunting, fishing, boating, and snowmobiling. As kids we had it all, snowmobiles for everyone and a boat that would hold a family of six. He enjoyed the memories of many week long ice fishing trips to Clear Lake in northern Maine.
Fred was a 32 Degree Mason and a member of the Anah Temple Shrine. He enjoyed the comradery and giving of the Masons and was thankful for their support during the last years of his life. He was so appreciative of the parade of Masons that came by his house on his 90th birthday.
He enjoyed his 30 years of retirement with Margie camping around Maine and Canada, and traveling the east coast to visit Melody, Alan and Deb wherever they may be. In addition to his travels, he joined the Union Fire Department in 1992 and volunteered countless hours maintaining equipment and responding to emergencies. He was recognized by the Department as “Firefighter of the Year” in 1995. When it came to service, he was always there you could rely on Fred Peabody to “get it done”.
He enjoyed life right to the last minute but really wanted to be joined with Margie once again. He wanted to give special thanks to all the neighbors who helped especially the “Debbies” that cared for him to the end, his daughter Dr. Deb, and neighbors Debbie McDonald and Debbie Hilt, and their families. He will be sadly missed by friends and family.
Family and friends are invited to visit from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., Thursday, July 6, 2023 at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland, a Masonic Ceremony will be performed. A graveside celebration of his life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, July 7, 2023 at East Union Cemetery, Miller Road, Union. In lieu of flowers those that wish to remember Fred may donate to the Union Masonic Lodge, Union, ME. 04862.
Fred was born in Appleton on Peabody Road to Quincy and Elsie Wiley Peabody. He was predeceased by his loving wife of 69 years, Margie, his parents; three brothers, Richard, Arthur, and Bobby; one sister, Janet Tolman; and a daughter-in-law Gina Peabody. He is survived by his brother Douglas, and his four children, Deborah Peabody and her wife Doreen Kendall, Melody McDermott and her husband Charles, Timothy Peabody and his wife Barbara, Alan Peabody; his grandchildren, Sean and Elizabeth McDermott, Benjamin Peabody, Andrew Peabody and his wife Tami, Anna Peabody and her husband Mike Eberhard and Zoe Perpall; his great-grandchildren, Trinity and Taryn Peabody; as well as multiple nieces and nephews. He was proud to be the longest living of anyone in the “Peabody family”.
Fred left the farm in Appleton to join the Airforce in 1953. During training he graduated at the top of his class as a “Jet Engine Specialist”. His pride of military service stayed with him to his last days at Togus. From the Airforce he returned to the farm in Appleton to care for his grandmother. It was this return to Maine where he became captivated by a young schoolteacher Margie Blake. They were married in 1954 and bought a home in Union and spent their entire married life on Wotton’s Mill Road raising four children. Fred supported his family as a truck driver for Boston Rockland Co., Sanborn’s Express, and finally his retirement from APA Transport in 1992. He had a love for the open road and was recognized for years of safe driving with all the companies. In his time off Fred had a passion for the outdoors enjoying hunting, fishing, boating, and snowmobiling. As kids we had it all, snowmobiles for everyone and a boat that would hold a family of six. He enjoyed the memories of many week long ice fishing trips to Clear Lake in northern Maine.
Fred was a 32 Degree Mason and a member of the Anah Temple Shrine. He enjoyed the comradery and giving of the Masons and was thankful for their support during the last years of his life. He was so appreciative of the parade of Masons that came by his house on his 90th birthday.
He enjoyed his 30 years of retirement with Margie camping around Maine and Canada, and traveling the east coast to visit Melody, Alan and Deb wherever they may be. In addition to his travels, he joined the Union Fire Department in 1992 and volunteered countless hours maintaining equipment and responding to emergencies. He was recognized by the Department as “Firefighter of the Year” in 1995. When it came to service, he was always there you could rely on Fred Peabody to “get it done”.
He enjoyed life right to the last minute but really wanted to be joined with Margie once again. He wanted to give special thanks to all the neighbors who helped especially the “Debbies” that cared for him to the end, his daughter Dr. Deb, and neighbors Debbie McDonald and Debbie Hilt, and their families. He will be sadly missed by friends and family.
Family and friends are invited to visit from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., Thursday, July 6, 2023 at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland, a Masonic Ceremony will be performed. A graveside celebration of his life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, July 7, 2023 at East Union Cemetery, Miller Road, Union. In lieu of flowers those that wish to remember Fred may donate to the Union Masonic Lodge, Union, ME. 04862.