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04/24/2012 10:00 AMFrederick “Fred” Thurberg, 69, a longtime resident of Guilford, died peacefully at the Connecticut Hospice on April 22 after a long illness. He was the loving husband of 48 years to Barbara Thurberg. Fred was born on Aug. 31, 1942 in Weymouth, Massachusetts, son of Dorothy Thurberg of Plymouth, Massachusetts, and the late William Thurberg. He grew up in the nearby town of Holbrook with his parents and his late sister Judy. He received his BA in zoology and his M.Ed. in science education from the University of Massachusetts, where he met his future wife, Barbara Godek, of Adams, Massachusetts. He went on to the University of New Hampshire where he received his MS in marine biology and his PhD in physiology.
A devoted conservationist, Fred had worked for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) at the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) in Milford from 1971 until his retirement in 2002. He served as branch chief of the Aquaculture and Enhancement Division with responsibility for Culture Systems and Habitat Evaluation. Fred made a significant contribution to the understanding of pollutant effects on marine organisms and played a major role in supporting a return to aquaculture research at Milford Laboratory.
An author of more than 50 scientific papers and reports, and editor of several scholarly books on marine physiology, Fred also played leading roles in numerous national and international symposia and workshops. He was appointed a U.S. member of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) in 1978, and was chairman of the ICES Working Group on Biological Effects of Contaminants from 1987 to 1991. He also had years of at-sea experience on NOAA marine research vessels out of Woods Hole, Massachusetts.
Fred enjoyed sharing his love of marine life with young students as advisor and instructor for the High School Student Aquanaut Program of the National Undersea Research Program (NURC/UCONN) from 1993-2001. In addition, for over 30 years, he taught undergraduate biology at Fairfield University as associate professor.
Rarely idle, Fred always had ongoing personal projects: restoring his Karmann Ghia, repairing antique pocket watches, renovating his home, making wine, and updating his bird list. He shared his enthusiasm for all these things and more with colleagues, friends, and family.
Outside of his work, Fred shared his passion for travel with his family, planning regular vacations to America’s National Parks. For over 25 years, Fred and Barbara traveled annually to the island of St. Barths, a seaside escape where they found respite from the bustle of everyday life. Fred assiduously researched every trip, seeking out local museums, architecture, restaurants, and the best views of the area’s natural landscape. He continued to plan trips even during the last days of his illness, and regretted the possibility of leaving his lists unfinished.
Besides his loving wife and his mother, Fred is survived by two daughters, Beth Thurberg of Newton, Massachusetts, and Debbie DiMarco of Lucas, Texas; his niece, Kristen Aronoff of Quincy, Massachusetts; and his favorite mother-in-law, Elisabeth Godek of Adams, Massachusetts. He was the adored “Papa” to three grandsons, Andrew, Daniel, and Max DiMarco of Lucas, Texas.
A private burial mass was celebrated at Saint Stanislaus Church in Adams, Massachusetts. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions in his name be made to support Dr. Jackman’s Thoracic Oncology Research Fund at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, PO Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168.