Frederick M. Ludwig
Frederick M. Ludwig, of Upper Southampton, passed away peacefully Friday, Feb. 17, 2017. Fred was 92.
He was the son of the late Mary Haines and Fred E. Ludwig. Fred is survived by his loving wife, Rita Dale; nephew, George Alden (Eileen); nieces, Mary Frances "Susie" Davis (James), and Regina Schuster (Frank); and stepson, Dr. John W. Lewellen (Martha). Fred was preceded in death by his first wife, Theresa.
Fred entered the U.S. Marine Corps at age 18. He was a veteran of Iwo Jima, who was honorably discharged as a sergeant in March of 1946. Shortly thereafter, he began working at the Reading Railroad Company, starting as an office boy and ending his career with them as district sales manager for the eastern seaboard.
After living in Huntingdon Valley for 30 years, he moved to Southampton Estates in August of 2001. As a member of Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, he was actively involved in parish life, including helping with the parking, teaching CCD classes, running the Parish Carnival for several years, being the lector or Extraordinary Minister, and being the altar server at Mass. His life revolved around his Faith put into action by his desire to serve.
Fred served the broader community also, both in the annual Southampton Days Carnival bingo tent ("Uncle Fred") for many years, as emcee for the annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service, and as the "Voice" of the Southampton Community Band for over 10 years, where his intermission jokes were legendary.
He served Southampton Estates as vice president of their residents' association, and worked on several committees throughout his years there. He was instrumental in the collection of used clothing from the residents for the benefit of St. Francis Inn in Kensington, and very recently was actively collecting and delivering contributed food items to the Jesus Focus Ministries food bank in Southampton. For over 20 years, he delivered donated baked goods to Face to Face in Germantown.
Fred's desire to help whenever, wherever, and whoever was also legendary. In 2005 the Inter-Service Clubs of Southampton named him their Citizen of the Year. He was the only person so honored who was not a member of an organized service group.
One of his special joys was playing the part of Santa Claus not only for the children at OLGC, but also for the "older kids" at area nursing homes.
Of all his activities, however, the one he came back to most was as an "altar boy". He started at age 9, and was still serving in his 92nd year.
The family would like to express their sincere thanks for the support and care received throughout his illness from the residents and staff at Southampton Estates, in particular Chaplain Russ Van Antwerpen and the team in Willowbrooke Court, and also from the ACTS Signature Hospice Team, specifically Teresa Evans, RN, and for Marcia Slowly from ACTS Home Health, who so lovingly and tenderly cared for him in his illness.
Fred's family will receive relatives and friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23, at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, 611 Knowles Ave., Southampton. A Rosary service will begin at 7:30 p.m. on the Blessed Mother's side of Church. Fred's relatives and friends will gather again from 10 to 10:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 24, also at Our Lady of Good Counsel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered for Fred 10:30 a.m. Friday. Fred will be laid to rest at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Cheltenham, Pa.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Our Lady of Good Counsel School Tuition Assistance, 611 Knowles Ave., Southampton, PA 18966; or ACTS Signature Hospice, 812 N. Bethlehem Pike, Ambler, PA 19002.