Obituary of Fred P. Schwab

Fred P. Schwab, age 94, a life long resident of Westbrook passed away peacefully at the Madison House Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Madison on Sunday afternoon, December 22, 2013. He was the beloved husband of the late Irma (Zinser) Schwab who predeceased him on February 13, 2008. Fred was born on April 20, 1919 in Westbrook the son of Philip and Josephine (Steinbach) Schwab. He was a 1939 graduate of Old Saybrook High School. Fred proudly served in the United States Army during World War II spending three and a half years as a gun commander in the South West Pacific Theater. Fred was an automobile mechanic who owned and operated Schwab Pontiac in Westbrook for many years and retired in 1984. He was a member of the Lutheran Church of Madison. Fred enjoyed duck pin bowling and was an avid fan of UCONN Women's Basketball and the Boston Red Sox. He was quite proud when they won the 2013 World Series. He played semi-pro baseball for many years in Westbrook competing against Shoreline and Lower Connecticut River Valley teams. Fred was also an avid gardener who always had a beautiful vegetable garden. Most of all he was a gentle, patient man who loved his family and friends. He leaves his son, Fred P. Schwab, Jr. and his wife Beth, his daughter, Nancy S. Foley, and her husband Michael, all of Westbrook, his five grandchildren (who affectionately referred to him as Gippy) Shannon, Daniel, Nicholas, Fred III and William along with many special nieces and nephews. Besides his wife Irma and his parents he was predeceased by his brother William Schwab and his two sisters, Emma Buell and Julia Schwab. A memorial service will be held at the Lutheran Church of Madison, 9 Britton Lane in Madison on Saturday January 11, 2014 at 11:00 am. The rendering of Military Honors with follow at the church. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Fred's name to the Lutheran Church of Madison. The family would like to thank all of the staff at the Madison House for their loving care of Fred.