Andover — Mr. Frederick Merrill Childs, a resident of Andover since 1965 and beloved husband of the late Margaret “Peggy” (Hunt) Childs, died peacefully after a long illness on Tuesday afternoon, February 26, 2013. He was 89 years old.
Born in Malden, on April 7, 1923, Fred was the son of the late Paul D. and Dorothy (Webster) Childs. He was raised in Melrose, Winchester and Marstons Mills. He graduated from Barnstable High School and started college at Northeastern University. Fred, like many men of his generation, volunteered to serve his country and joined the U.S. Navy in 1942. He entered the Navy V-12 training program and played football at Tufts College. He was honorably discharged from the Navy in January of 1946 specializing in radio/electronics. He then returned to Northeastern University receiving his degree in Civil Engineering in 1947.
Fred started his career working on the planning and development of the New Jersey Turnpike. It was there that he met his wife of 53 years, Peggy Hunt Childs. He went on to specialize in the power industry working at Arthur D. Little Company, Borden Chemical and Stone & Webster.
Mr. Childs was an avid sports enthusiast believing in the benefits of physical fitness well ahead of his time. He loved baseball and played one summer for the Cape Cod Baseball League in Osterville. He also enjoyed golf, skiing and tennis and shared many outdoor activities such as camping, hiking and swimming with his family well into his 80’s. He was a longtime member and supporter of the YMCA. He was active at South Church in Andover and involved in his local community serving on the Andover Board of Health. Fred enjoyed his many friends through his bridge, investment and tennis groups.
Mr. Childs will be missed by his loving children, Gifford and his wife, Amy Childs of Afton, Va., Ann Childs and her husband, Rick Heffernan of West Roxbury, Ellen and her husband, Eric Arvidson of Andover and Susan Childs and her husband, John Salvato of Winslow, Maine, devoted brother; Robert and his wife, Ann Childs of Bass River; cherished grandchildren, Ethan, Lenore, Marina, Heather, Kirsten, Sarah, Julie, Luke and Vincent; dear great-grandchildren, Linden, Lillian and Juliette and many nieces and nephews.
ARRANGEMENTS: His memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 6, 2013, at 11 a.m. at South Church, 41 Central St. Andover. Donations in Fred's memory may be made to the YMCA, 165 Haverhill St., Andover, MA 01810 or to the South Church, 41 Central St., Andover, MA 01810. For additional information, please visit, www.burkemagliozzi.com.
