Wallace Fred Mitchell

MITCHELL, Wallace Fred
Age 82, died peacefully at home on Seneca Lake, Sunday, November 4, after a short battle with lung cancer. Born on February 9, 1925, in Providence, RI, he grew up in Pawtucket, RI as the only child of Doris and William Fred Mitchell. He joined the Army Air Corps in 1943, on his last day of high school, and as a 1st Lieutenant flew a P-51 Mustang in Europe for the 12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron of the 9th Air Force. On his last mission over the Danube on May 8, 1945, his wingman scored what is believed to be the last enemy aircraft kill of World War II in Europe. Fred received a Purple Heart after being shot down over Prum, Germany and escaping back to France with the help of the Resistance. Fred is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island, where he met and married his wife of 58 years, Patricia Anne (Turner) Mitchell. He worked for the Corning Glass Works for 31 years, starting at the Central Falls plant and transferring to the Corning office as their Health and Industrial Safety Engineer in 1958. The family lived in Painted Post until moving to Dundee after Fred's retirement. Fred (aka Senior) is survived by his wife, Patricia; his children, Gail Mitchell (Stan Zdonik) of Westwood, MA, and Fred Mitchell (Polly Fowler-Mitchell) of Himrod, NY; and grandchildren, James Mitchell Shaw, Jason E. Mitchell, Patty Mitchell and David Zdonik; and predeceased (1961) by his son, William Fred Mitchell (Billy). Friends may call Thursday, 3-5 p.m. at Baird Funeral Home, 36 Water St., Dundee. A graveside service will be held Friday, 2 p.m. at Coopers Plains Cemetery, Coopers Plains, NY. Donations can be made in Fred's memory to the Keuka Care Comfort Home, P.O. Box 107, Penn Yan, NY 14527, the American Cancer Society or to your local VFW. To light a candle in memory please visit www.anthonychapels.com.