Obituary

Fred E. Bergquist

Tue, 01/31/2023 - 9:15am

Fred E. Bergquist passed away Jan. 29, 2023, at the of age 86.

He was born May 12, 1936. He graduated from Boothbay Harbor High School in 1954 and the University of Maine with a bachelor of arts degree in mathematics in 1964, with many courses in physics and electrical engineering. He was awarded a certificate in Management Development from the University of Hartford. He served in the U.S. Navy 1958-1962 as an aviation electronics technician, based in Florida, and shipped on several aircraft carriers.

He worked at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Division of United Technologies Corporation 1964 through 1992 where he advanced through several management positions in Quality Assurance, Engineering, and the Engine Program Office. After retirement he spent many hours assuring his high school classmates had well-coordinated reunion events.

He married Donna Colfer in 1964. They lived in Vernon, Connecticut and had a son, John, in 1966. They divorced in 1969. He married Carol Athorne Girolamo in 1971. They first lived in Marlborough, Connecticut, moved to Portland, Connecticut, moving to Dunnellon, Florida in 1996, then to Okatie (Sun City), South Carolina in 2007. Carol and Fred liked to dine out and meet new people. They traveled extensively, often with Carol's brother Marc Athorne and his wife Adair.

Fred was a member of Sigma Pi Sigma physics honor society; Delta Tau Delta fraternity; Brotherhood of the Order of Elks; American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

He liked puzzles and games; enjoyed music at the Tugboat Lounge (with Kay Brown at the piano); was an avid Red Sox fan; used the computer extensively, and always looked for good investment opportunities. He wintered in Okatie, South Carolina and summered in Boothbay Harbor, living in the family house his father built.

Fred was predeceased by Carol in 2010 and John in 2021.

He is survived by his daughter, Joanne Bain, her husband Robert from Rehoboth, Massachusetts; two grandchildren, Connor and Kelsey Bain; a cousin, Dawna Bergquist from Topsham, Maine with whom he traveled; and several other cousins, nieces and nephews.

Fred’s family will honor his life privately.

Arrangements are entrusted to Hall Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 975 Wiscasset Road, Boothbay. To extend online condolences please visit Fred’s Book of Memories at www.hallfuneralhomes.com.