Frederick W. Bridge Jr.

Frederick W. Bridge Jr., age 94, of Brockton, passed away Friday Feb. 6, 2026 after suffering an unexpected illness. Fred was predeceased by his wife Claire Chaffee Bridge in 2002. He and Claire made their home in Brockton’s Brookfield area. He leaves behind daughters, Carol Lovetere, Susan Bridge Martin and Barbara Ahl, son-in-law Joseph Lovetere and 5 grandchildren, Michelle, Matthew, Amanda, Kenneth, Daniel and many great-grandchildren.     

Fred was born in Southport, England and immigrated to the U.S. by himself at age 20 in 1951 and was sponsored by a Revere relative. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1952 and served honorably in Platoon 552 during the Korean War until 1955. He became a painter for Bethlehem Steel in Quincy which became General Dynamics. He worked there for 30 years, retiring as general manager of the paint department. Fred was always proud of the ships built at GD Fore River: among them the USS Massachusetts and USS Lexington aircraft carriers and the USS Salem and Joseph P. Kennedy destroyers. He considered it an honor to have worked on the Naval ships and huge LNG tankers built there; he also painted the massive Goliath crane needed to build those ships.

Rather than retire, he began a new career as a lead painter for an elder care housing organization until retiring at age 70. Fred was a lifelong soccer fan, playing in and coaching area leagues in Eastern MA in the 1960s and 1970s. In retirement he became a member of V.F.W. Post 8892 in Avon where he spent many afternoons and early evenings playing his favorite game of pool with his many close friends. He played pool there just days before taking ill. He was a skilled player and those who knew him expected a fierce strategic competitor in Fred. His family and friends feel blessed to have known him and spend time with him and he will be sorely missed.

All are welcome to a Celebration of Life for Fred on Saturday March 7 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at V.F.W. Post 8892 at 263 East Main St. Avon MA 02322.  In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to V.F.W Post 8892.

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