Frederick "Fred" Morton

Yarmouth – Fred Morton, 79, of Yarmouth passed from this life to the next on Tuesday February 15, 2011 at his home in Yarmouth, with his family by his side. Fred was born in Yarmouth on September 27, 1931, the seventh of 11 children of Alice (Darling) and Harry Morton. He attended Yarmouth schools and graduated from NYA, Class of 1949. In 1950 Fred enlisted in the US Navy and served two years on the presidential yacht, the USS Sequoia, then on the carrier USS Randolph during the Korean Conflict.

In 1956, Fred had the good fortune to marry Arlene M. Hayden and they made their home in Yarmouth raising their four children. Fred worked for Maine Central Railroad, first as a fireman and quickly moved up to engineer. Each one of his children had their own fond memories of spending a day with their father on the train. He retired after 38 years of service.

Fred will be remembered as a humble man who was honest and well respected. “He was a good man.” Fred had an abiding love of Casco Bay and enjoyed the summers boating to the local islands and coves and time spent in northern Maine with his good friends, the Files. He also enjoyed fishing, helping Arlene with the garden and playing cribbage. In later years he loved teaching his grandchildren how to play cards. He was also a huge Red Sox fan. His greatest joys were family gatherings and he was especially proud of his children and their families. Fred was a proud member of the Yarmouth chapter of the AMVets and the A.F. & A.M. Casco Lodge #36.

Fred is survived by his wife of 54 years, Arlene of Yarmouth; his four children: Frederick Morton Jr. and his wife Linda of Poland and their son Seth; Roderick Morton and his wife Barbara of New Gloucester and their children Lindsey and Elizabeth; Theodore Morton and his wife Nicole of Portland and their children Corey Morton and his wife Jill and their children Alec and Ayden and Kristy Kennedy and her husband Tanner; his daughter Susan Smart and her husband Richard of Eliot and their children Zachary and Samantha; his sisters Evelyn and Carolyn and brother John.

The family would like to thank Dr. James Haller and Janine of the Yarmouth Health Center for the outstanding care and compassion they gave Fred and Arlene. Thank you both for your kindness.

Visiting hours will be on Thursday February 17, 2011 from 5 – 7 PM at Lindquist Funeral Home, One Mayberry Lane, Yarmouth, ME 04096. A memorial service will also be held at the funeral home on Friday February 18 at 11:00 AM with Rev. Patricia Rowe-Jones officiating. A reception immediately following will be held at the AMVETs Hall on North Road in Yarmouth.

Please visit www.lindquistfuneralhome.com to view a video collage of Fred’s life and to share your condolences, memories and tributes with the Morton Family.

For those who wish, donations may be made in Fred’s memory to: Yarmouth Fire & Rescue, 176 North Road, Yarmouth, ME 04096.