It is with great sorrow we announce the passing of Frederick Ware Bishop, Jr., 79, of Old Saybrook on Dec. 27, surrounded by his loving family after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s Disease. Born on Sept. 11, 1943, in Windsor to Arlene Pearle (Stucklen) and Frederick Ware Bishop, Sr. He grew up in the historic home, “The Moorlands” and attended the Windsor public schools. After graduation from Mitchell College and University of Hartford, he served with Company A, 26th Aviation Battalion (combat), Connecticut Army National Guard.

After his military service Fred had a long career in manufacturing including Vice President of Manufacturing at Blu-Ray (Essex), Plant Manager at Jackson Corrugated, Operations Manager at Bidwell Industries, and S&S Arts and Crafts. He also was President of the Ivoryton Playhouse Foundation, the second oldest summer stock theater in the United States.

When Fred occasionally went “missing,” he could reliably be found somewhere fishing or sailboat racing on the waters of Long Island Sound, tending his massive vegetable garden, playing Cribbage, or creating wooden treasures in his workshop.

Left to cherish the memories of this kind, quiet, gentle man are his wife of 56 years, Susan (Amaio) Bishop; Anthony Ware Bishop and his wife, Ashley, of Bloomsbury, New Jersey, his son, Colin Frederick Bishop and his wife, Karine, of Les Gets, France; and his sister, Arlene (Lee Bishop) Howard and her husband, John, of Corte Madeira, California; and his five beloved grandchildren, Jackson, Louly, Julia, Kaia, and Charlotte who affectionately called him “B’s”. Also, his sisters-in-law, Nancy A Kauke, husband Donald, Ellen A. Sayers, husband Clement; and five nieces and nephews.

Funeral arrangements are private. Donations can be made in Fred’s memory to The Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research at “donations @michaeljfox.org” or PO Box 5014 Hagerstown, MD 20741.