Fred Hollingsworth Iii

1930 - 2018

Hollingsworth III, Fred
Jan 15, 1930 - Mar 18, 2018
Fred Hollingsworth III, 88, passed away on Sunday, March 18 at Doctors Hospital in Sarasota, Florida. He is survived by his wife Judy, daughter Frances O'Reilly, son Fred IV and granddaughters Sophie and Emma. Fred III was born to Frances Keppler and Fred Hollingsworth, Jr. in Grand Rapids, Michigan, January 15, 1930. The beginning of Fred's fascinating and rewarding life began at age 7 when his father took him to the 1937 National Association of Amusement Parks, Pools & Beaches (NAAPPB) convention where his love of the amusement industry began. In 1972 NAAPPB became the International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions (IAAPA). Fred grew up in the carnival business and was first known as a successful ride operator and manufacturer through a series of his companies, which included Holly Bros., Fun Rides and ADCO which manufactured Fun Houses, Glass Houses, Flying Bobs and Dark Rides (Olivia Newton-John & John Travolta rode in one of Fred's dark rides in the movie "Grease"). Fred was the President and Founder of Omni Films International, Inc. which was located in Sarasota, Florida and is the internationally-known creator and manufacturer of Cinema 180, Motion Master, Omnivision, Magnavision, ESI-3D, Freedom Six, Gemini 6 and Transporter 6 all of which were supported by a worldwide organization capable of communicating in 17 languages. As the creator and manufacturer of Cinema 180 starting in 1974 and Motion Master in 1987, Fred is recognized as the "Father" of today's prolific film-based attractions and as such was inducted into the IAAPA Hall of Fame in November 2015, of which Walt Disney is also a member. Fred's motto was "Build to last, attract and entertain." During all his years in the amusement industry, Fred was extremely adept in his judgment and selection of people with good character, ability, passion and enthusiasm for their work, i.e. Fitz-Edward Otis II, VP Marketing & Sales, Julian Angus, VP Engineering, Guy Heyl, CFO and his many other employees. Services will be held at St. Boniface Episcopal Church, Siesta Key, April 5, 2018 at Noon.