Fred came to Florida from his native New Jersey after having served his country in Vietnam as a member of the United States Air Force. He was a retired educator from the Pasco County School District, teaching junior high and high school social studies and reading courses. Fred was a proud union member and was a building representative for many years, securing countless members' working rights. He loved being on the water, fishing and kayaking, and under the water, SCUBA diving and spearfishing. He was an avid nature photographer. Nature and the outdoors were his religion and chapel, as he often said.
Fred was predeceased by his parents Dorothy and Paul, and a brother, Paul Thomas. He is survived by his nephews Christopher and Michael and his niece Karin, as well as many friends, colleagues, and former students. If you wish, please consider a donation in Fred’s memory to the Wounded Warriors Project, the National Audubon Society, The Nature Conservancy or the SPCA. A military service will be held at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell on Friday August 9 at 11:30 am.
