Frederick Pekari Obituary
Published by Legacy Remembers on Dec. 6, 2024.
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Frederick "Fred" Pekari, on August 9, 2024, in Falmouth, Massachusetts, after a long illness, at the age of 88. He was born on April 18, 1936, in New Haven, Ct. to Joseph F. and Anna Foss Pekari. Fred was raised on the shore in West Haven, CT, where he developed a passion for swimming, fishing, and golf. At a young age, he learned about golf from his father. He also made many lifelong friends at the shore, staying connected with them to his last days. He married Joyce Hanson in 1955, and raised his three children in West Haven, where he taught them the values of kindness, honesty, hard-work, and to cherish the holiday traditions. He especially loved finding the biggest holiday tree to decorate with perfection.
Fred took pride in everything he did, and lived life to the fullest. He attended schools in West Haven, earning medals in swimming, and playing the clarinet and saxophone in the school band. He went on to New Haven College and studied mechanical engineering at the University of New Haven. He retired from Textron Lycoming (Avco) in Stratford, CT receiving recognition for his innovations in design engineering and several U.S. patents. While at Textron, he played on their softball and golf teams. After retirement, he worked at the Mink Meadows Golf Club on Martha's Vineyard as an assistant pro, and later as a ranger. He was a member of several teams and golf clubs over the years, and later on Martha's Vineyard, a member of the Portuguese-American club, Farm Neck River Golf Club, and the Martha's Vineyard Surfcasters Assn.
In 1984, he married Mary, and they spent many vacations on Martha's Vineyard, where they moved, to a house designed by Fred. Later, they designed a second home on Chappaquiddick, where they spent their later years, enjoying the beautiful beaches, fishing, golfing, and entertaining family and friends, making many great memories. Those memories involved activities at the beaches, like clamming, scalloping, and fishing. Later, in the day, cooking and eating the catches of the day was the ultimate reward. Fred had many varied interests and had a passion for learning new hobbies. They included clamming, scalloping, darts, bowling, painting, cooking, making stained glass, flying small planes,deep sea fishing,gardening (roses and berries), bird watching, playing the guitar, ukulele, craft beer, and traveling with Mary. He especially loved cooking for his family and friends, his favorites being, seafood dishes, baked stuffed shrimp, stuffed mushrooms and clam chowder. His legacy for learning will be remembered by all.
He will be lovingly remembered by his devoted wife, Mary Aimes Hart, of Chappaquiddick, Massachusetts, and his daughters, Cheryl Lipka, Laurelyn Celone, sons-in-laws, Al Lipka and Mike Celone, sister, Carol Anne (Fred) VanPala, sisters-in-law, Barbara Pekari, and Nancy Murphy, brother-in-laws, Robert (Rosemary) Hanson, Edward Aimes,, grandchildren, Celeste (Dan) Greenhouse, Ryan (Deanna) Lipka, and Jennifer (Jason) Oliverio, great-grandchildren, Jason Pekari, Alex Lipka, Kaley Oliverio, Madelyn Greenhouse, Tyler Greenhouse, Mia Oliverio, Tatum Lipka, and Drew Lipka, stepdaughters, Lorri Hart, and Cheryl Frappier,, step-grandchildren, Charles Leaf, of Wyoming, Saundra (Nick) LaBell, Lena Frappier, Tyler (Jessica) Johnson, Angel Shepard, and three step-great-granddaughters. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews. Fred was predeceased by his son, Frederick "Rick" Pekari, his stepson, Robert Hart, Jr., his brothers, Joseph, and George Pekari, his granddaughter, Alicia Pekari, and brother in-laws, Robert and John Aimes,
A celebration of Fred's life will be held at a later date on Martha's Vineyard where a bench will be dedicated in his honor, at the Mink Meadows Golf Club. Donations may be made in his name to:
Make a Wish Foundation of Connecticut
56 Commerce Drive
Trumbull, CT 06611