Frederick Douglas D'Aquila

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Frederick Douglas D’Aquila on June 30th. 

Fred was born on April 17, 1946 to Louise and John D’Aquila. He was named after American abolitionist and social reformer Frederick Douglass, who his father had studied in high school. He was the middle child of siblings older brother John and younger sister Joyce. The family lived in Newington on four acres of land, with a forest, a pond, and a three bedroom colonial style home built by John and Louise. Plenty of room for the three young children to explore and develop their interests - Fred’s being cars. Or more broadly - anything with a motor! As a teenager Fred taught himself how to repair and restore cars, motor cycles and boats. It was a passion of his until the day he died. He had owned many over the course of his life. Joyriding with his young sons, boating all summer long with his wife and sons, and riding his Harley with a group of his senior friends in his later years.

Fred was a mechanic by trade and a salesman at heart. After serving in the Navy as a young man, Fred combined these two skills and built a successful career of 50 years. Beginning as a Service Writer for a foreign car dealership, to working in Marketing and Sales for United Technologies and later selling tow trucks and garage equipment to shops throughout Connecticut and Massachusetts. Fred’s last job was as a Bus Driver for the School For the Deaf, a job he absolutely loved. He retired in 2018.

At his core, Fred was a good man and a happy man - always striving to do the right thing. He loved his family and his friends, and smiled often. 

Fred leaves behind two sons, Bryan and James, granddaughter Jocelyn, his sister Joyce, nephews John and Anthony and several cousins.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, July 9th from 3:30pm to 4:30pm at Brooklawn Funeral Home, 511 Brook St. Rocky Hill. Burial will be held privately. Donations can be made to the American School For the Deaf.