Person:Frederick Goodrich (4)

PAXTON -- Frederick G. Goodrich, 77, of Grove St., died unexpectedly at home on Sunday, April 7, 2013. Born and raised in Worcester, Fred was the son of Frederick H. and Frances (Damon) Goodrich and lived 51 years in Paxton where he and his wife Carol raised their family.

Fred graduated from Assumption College in Worcester with a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration and later from Anna Maria College in Paxton with an MBA. He attended certification programs at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in MRP, Inventory Management, Procurement and Shop Floor Control. Fred retired in 2000 after 36 years in materials, plant and logistics management in a variety of industries, primarily in computer manufacturing and electronics. He served in the Massachusetts National Guard in the late 50's and 60's.

Fred felt most at home when he was advocating for the townspeople of Paxton. He held an illustrious leadership career in his community where he served on numerous committees and boards. He was past chairman of both the Paxton Board of Appeals and the Paxton Personnel Advisory Committee, and was a former president of the Friends of the Paxton Council on Aging. He also served on the Capital Improvement Planning Committee, Master Plan Implementation Committee and the Paxton Housing Partnership. On the state level, he served on the Governor's Local Advisory Council and on the Board of Directors of both the Massachusetts Selectmen's Association and the Massachusetts Municipal Association.

Fred has served over 10 years as a Paxton Selectman. He was proud of his many accomplishments as a selectman which included bringing a town administrator to Paxton, initiating a management information system, the appointment of a Master Plan Committee to prepare a comprehensive plan for Paxton's future, and initiating the town's ambulance service successfully with the assistance of the fire chief and town administrator. In 2009 he received an honorary alumnus award from A.M.C.

In his youth, Fred played baseball as a short stop and was drafted to play in the Major League. He later coached little league baseball in both Worcester and Paxton. He also created, planned and built many of the Worcester ball fields. He was an avid bowler and was a member of the Paxton Bowling League and the Greendale Retired Mens' Club's bowling league. Fred was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend and will be remembered for his passion for helping others. He will be greatly missed.

He is survived and will be lovingly missed by his wife of 53 years, Carol J. (Zuranski) Goodrich; three sons, Stephen P. Goodrich of Montgomery Village, MD, Frederick Goodrich and his partner Tommy Webb of New Orleans, LA and Andrew T. Goodrich of Paxton; three daughters, Monica A. Goodrich-Pelletier and her husband Kevin Pelletier of Holland, Robyn M. Goodrich of Oakham, and Diana Leary of Worcester; a brother, Bernard Goodrich of Alabama; four sisters, Gail Haddad, Janis Mateiko, Patricia Lebel and Nancy Goodrich; 6 grandchildren, Ryan, Haley, Amber, Zoey, Christopher and Alexander; great grandchildren and many nephews and nieces. A brother, Wayne Goodrich predeceased him.

A funeral service honoring and celebrating Fred's life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 13, at the First Congregational Church of Paxton, One Church St, Paxton. Interment will follow at Mooreland Cemetery in Paxton. There will be a reception following the interment at the church. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association, 20 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701, or Why Me & Sherry's House, 1152 Pleasant St., Worcester, MA 01602. Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden is assisting the family with arrangements. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit: www.milesfuneralhome.com