CHICOPEE – Frederick R. “Fred” Aickelin, 89, formerly of the Fairview section of Chicopee, returned safely and peacefully home on Monday, March 26, 2018. Fred was born in Buffalo, NY on August 4, 1928 to the late Friedrich Aickelin and Else (Mauch) Aickelin. He was raised and educated in Stuttgart, Germany and while attending school he began an apprenticeship as a Dental Lab Technician at the age of 12. Fred returned to the United States and enlisted first in the Army, then followed with a re-enlistment to the military in the U.S Air Force. It was during this time while on Long Island that he met his future wife, Ann (Fillekes) Aickelin, whom he adored for their 62 years together and beyond, before she passed on December 16, 2013.
While in the Air Force, Fred was a Dental Technician and worked as a Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge at various Air Force Dental Laboratories in Germany and ultimately at Westover Air Force Base where he served until his final enlistment. Fred attended the University of Maryland Overseas Program for Military Personnel and served in the military during WWII, the Korean War and Vietnam before retiring as a Master Sergeant and a member of the 814th Medical Group, after over 21 years of service.
Upon retirement from the military, Fred continued as a Dental Lab Technician, as the owner of Alden Dental Laboratory, originally located on Grattan Street. A successful small business owner, Fred was very much an active and community-minded gentleman involved in numerous civic, social, business and school organizations in Chicopee. He was a Lifetime Member of the Chicopee Lodge of Elks No. 1849, American Legion Post 337, The Rotary Club, The Chicopee Chamber of Commerce where he served on the Board and was very actively involved in the Chamber’s Fireball Club, serving as President. The Fireball Club was responsible for the annual Kielbasa Festival, an event he thoroughly enjoyed. Fred was also a member of AJAC, The Tigers AC and the Chicopee Comp Band Parents Association, serving as President. When the City of Chicopee could no longer afford a fireworks celebration for the Fourth of July, Fred organized businesses and the community to bring back the celebration with the Chicopee Fourth of July Committee.
In his leisure time, Fred enjoyed snowmobiling, racquetball, and later developed a passion for golf, eventually leading to the position of Chicopee Golf Commissioner. Also during his time after retiring from the Air Force, Fred continued to support the Air Force and Westover as a member of the City of Chicopee Military Affairs Committee and a founding member of the Westover Galaxy Council. Fred was also a member of Faith United Methodist Church in Fairview and was active in the FUMC Senior Men’s Group, enjoying many years of fellowship and friendship with the group.
Above all, Fred loved spending time with his family and friends, especially his wife Ann, who supported him in his business and community endeavors. Fred leaves his three loving children, Elizabeth A. Aickelin and her partner, Peter Nilles, of California, Ronald A. Aickelin and his wife, Debbie, of Georgia and Carrie L. Walls and her husband, Daniel, of Connecticut. Of the many titles and roles Fred had during his life, he saved a special place in his heart for being “Opa” to his five grandsons, A.J. Aickelin and his wife, Tesha, Nicholas Aickelin and his wife, Lindsey, Joshua Walls, Alexander Walls and Daniel McCarthy. Though many miles separated them, Fred cherished a lifelong friendship with his sister, Suse Weidle, of Germany; he also leaves his dear sister-in-law Elizabeth “Bet” Sympson of New York, and many dear nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.
In the last few years, Fred resided at Loomis Lakeside at Reeds Landing in Springfield where, in his final years, he continued his enjoyment of community involvement as Resident Council President. His family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to Donna, his caregiver; and also to all the staff at Loomis who always showed Fred kindness and respect, compassion and loving care.
His Funeral will be held on Wednesday, April 4, 2018 beginning at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, (413-532-9806), 13 Dale Street, Chicopee, MA 01020, (funeral home will open at 8:30 a.m.), followed by a 9 a.m. Prayer Service in the Funeral Home. His Committal Service with United States Air Force Military Honors will follow the Prayer Service at 11 a.m. in the Chapel at the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street, Agawam, MA 01001. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday, April 3, 2018 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The parking lot and main entrance are located at the rear of the funeral home at 20 Lafayette Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. For those who prefer, his family requests that memorial donations be made in his memory to the Shriners Hospital for Children, Springfield Unit, 516 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com
