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Frederick Francis Meyer 1915-2015

Human Interest February 09, 2015

Frederick “Babe” Francis Meyer was born July 10, 1915 in Lorain, Ohio, USA and lived in Lorain for all but a number of months or so of his nearly 100 years. He passed away Friday, February 6, 2015 at home in the loving care of his family and with the professional help of Hospice of the Western Reserve. Fred was the son of Philomena (Minnie) and Frederick Meyer, who was the designer and builder of the Meyer life long family home.

Fred was a graduate of Lorain High School 1933, where he was a member of the student rifle club, was the manager of the track team, and got “A’s” in woodworking class. All this lead to years of adventure. He was a cook on the Great Lakes ore boat, the “Diamond Alkali,” for a couple of transport seasons during and after high school. For the five years that followed, he was employed at American Crucible Company in Lorain.

He married Ann Mattioni on May 20, 1940. Then, when WWII called our young men to serve, Fred’s talents as a Tool and Die maker at Jack and Heinz, Cleveland, were used during the war effort for aircraft construction. In peace times that followed, his talent for carpentry prompted him to do something he really loved and with his brother, George, they formed Meyer Brothers General Contractors.

In his spare time he repaired the Lorain lighthouse, was a registered Star Class boat builder and built six custom vessels. His own Star boat and the last one he sailed, “Quagmire,” is being refurbished and will be a part the collection of temporary exhibits on recreational wooden boating for the new Great Lakes Historical Society and National Museum of the Great Lakes in Toledo, Ohio.

He was a life long member of St. Anthony Parish, where he was an altar boy for the very first Mass held in a tent at Century Park. He was a member of the Holy Name Society and was on St. Anthony’s bowling league. He served as church usher for decades. He was the 1949 Commodore of the Lorain Yacht Club, captain of the Southern Lake Erie Fleet of the Star class boats, a member of the International Star Class Yacht Racing Association, the Vermilion Boat Club, Beaver Creek Gun Club and Lorain Senior Fellowship, where he was the joke meister and the weather and fishing reporter.

Fred, alias “The Commodore” alias “Uncle Babe” and Grandpa loved music, especially from the 40’s era. He shared tons of tunes as well as a huge tradition of card playing with his family and friends, who still gather for a good game and a manhattan on weekend afternoons. At other times, the basement pool table was the focus for hours of friendly and memorable competition. He spent endless time in between, always there for his kids, and was undoubtedly the best Dad who ever lived! Fred was passionate about Lake Erie where he grew up on it’s shore. He built and sailed ice boats and sail boats. He hunted waterfowl and fished endless walleye and perch from his teen years well into his 90’s.

His wife, Ann, passed away in 2003. Fred’s children are Constance Ann, who died in 1946, Marjorie Ellen Kodish (husband Marvin), Frederick Thomas Meyer (wife Mary Lee), Mary Anne Meyer, Jean Marie Richards (husband Donald). He has 10 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. He is loved and missed by all of them, and by countless friends and admirers. He was a class act.

Friends may call at the Busch Funeral Home, 163 Avon-Belden Rd., Avon Lake, (440) 933-3202, Thursday, February 12, 2015, from 4 to 7 P.M. Lorain residents drive along the Lake remembering Mr. Meyer’s love of Lake Erie, taking East Erie Ave. (Rt. 6) East, turn right on to Rt. 83, (Avon-Belden) and go one block South. Prayer service at the funeral home will be at 10:15 A.M., followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 1305 E. Erie Ave., Lorain, Friday, February 13, 2015, at 11 A.M. Father Richard Hudak will officiate.

Memorials may be forwarded to St. Anthony of Padua Church, Lorain or the Great Lakes Historical Society.





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