…U.S.M.C. Korean War vet; A.F. & A.M.; 81
TEWKSBURY - Frederick E. Colpitts, age 81, a proud former Marine and active Mason, died Sunday, May 12, at Lowell General’s Saint’s Campus, after a long period of declining health. He was the beloved husband of F. Anne (Crowe) Colpitts, with whom he had celebrated a fifty third wedding anniversary this past December fifth.
“Fred” was born in Boston, Mass, on October 11, 1931, a son of the late Clayton H. and Louise (MacQueen) Colpitts. He was raised in Wakefield and later moved to Albany, NY, and went on to graduate from the Schenectady Vocational High School in NY.
He enlisted into the United States Marine Corps, and served in Korea in the defense of the U.N.’s Seoul Airbase.
Upon his honorable discharge, he enrolled in the Oklahoma Aero Technical Institute. He began his career as an aircraft Machinist at General Electric’s Schenectady N.Y. plant, and retired from Raytheon’s Aircraft Division in Bedford, MA.
“Fred” was a active member in the Masonic Order as a member of the Wamesit A.F. & A.M. Lodge in Tewksbury, the Scottish Rite in Lowell, and the Aleppo Shriners in Wilmington.
In earlier years, Fred was an accomplished ice skater with the Colonial Figure Skating Club based in Acton.
Besides his wife, he is survived by three children, Judith Merrick and her husband James of Maine, Clayton Colpitts of Groveland, MA, and Glenn Colpitts of Tewksbury; three beloved grandchildren, Julia Colpitts of Somerville, Corinne Colpitts of Groveland, and Thalia A. Rodriguez of Framingham; a brother, Clayton Colpitts and his wife Jean of TN; and several nieces and nephews.
He was also father of the late Lynn F. Rodriguez, R.N. who died in 2007.
His funeral service was held Thursday, May 16, in the Tewksbury Congregational Church, Tewksbury Center. Burial at the National Cemetery at Cape Cod will be private. Memorials to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children, 51 Blossom St., Boston, MA 02114, or visit shrinershospitalsforchildren.org