Frederick T. Molyneux

FREDERICK T. MOLYNEUX

1925 – 2024

West Springfield - Frederick T. Molyneux, 99, died peacefully Monday at home.  He was born in Tonawanda, NY, the son of the late James and Lena M. (Cook) Molyneux. Fred was a 1943 National Honor Society graduate of Johnstown, NY High School. After graduating, he enlisted in the Navy V-S flight training program at the University of South Carolina for one year, then continued to the Navy V-12 deck officer-training program at the University of California, Berkeley. In June of 1946 he graduated with a BSME degree in mechanical engineering and was commissioned as an Ensign in the USNR. He married Blandine I. Robbins in 1952. Fred worked for the General Electric Co. as a test engineer and service engineer from 1946 to 1953, working on Alco-GE diesel locomotives at the Boston and Albany yards in West Springfield and various industrial facilities in the Western MA area. After leaving GE in 1953, he was employed by the Monsanto Co. in various engineering, supervisory and technical positions, retiring in 1982 as an engineering specialist with 29 plus years of service. He was a member of the West Springfield United Methodist Church (formerly Mittineague United Methodist Church) for many years serving on various boards and as Church Treasurer from 1982 to 1991. He was a long-time member and past secretary of the Western Massachusetts Model-A Ford Restorer's Club. During retirement he enjoyed repairing and refinishing antique chairs and was self-taught in the art of chair caning. His wife, Blandine (Robbins), predeceased him in August 2008. He is survived by his son, Glenn and his wife, Donna, of Abbeville, MS; a daughter, Linda of East Peoria, IL; a sister, Edna L. Molyneux of Rochester, NY; six grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren. Besides his wife, he was predeceased by a sister Irene M. Jones and her husband Robert. A private service will be held, and the West Springfield Curran-Jones Funeral Home is handling all arrangements. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the American Red Cross or the Shriners Hospitals for Children. For online condolences please visit curranjones.com.