Frederick Bert Mcdougall

PORT LEYDEN - Frederick Bert McDougall passed away on 10 February 2013 due to multiple injuries sustained in a tragic automobile accident that occurred on 18 January 2013. Fred, the son of Jerry and Marion McDougall, was born on 12 February 1922 in a house alongside the Moose River in a small mill community called Kosterville. He was a free spirited, adventurous kid who loved sports. He played baseball at his high school in Lyons Falls where he graduated in 1939. Fred met the love of his life and was united in marriage to Anne R Secore in April 1942. Fred served his country in WWII when he enlisted in the Army on 23 September 1942. In his early training; he excelled in radio and electronics and was asked to stay in Texas and be an instructor. Instead he attended gunnery training on a B17 bomber in the 455th Bombardment Group, 742nd Squadron and was promoted to Sergeant. He also excelled in marksmanship. He transferred to a transportation outfit driving supply trucks in Italy. Fred also received a Distinguished Unit Citation Badge with First Oak Leaf cluster. When Fred returned home to Lyons Falls, he started a family and worked at Gould paper mill. He became the President of the local union largely responsible for the workers obtaining a new and better Pension Plan. During this time he also earned his pilot license and flew out of the Forestport NY airport. He bought a house in Kelpytown, which he turned part of it into a restaurant called "Mac's Restaurant". Unfortunately, a few years later he and Anne were divorced and Fred & his three children moved to Port Leyden to live with his parents. In 1960 he managed the Port Leyden Little League team which won the Lewis County Championship. In 1966 Fred moved to Fair Oaks, California and obtained a job at McClellan AFB working in warehouses as a forklift operator. He later returned home and started working as a journeyman carpenter in the Local #277. In his early seventies Fred worked as a forklift operator at Fort Drum before he finally retired. Fred is survived by his children Rick (Renee), Layton UT; Bonnie (Bill) Manning, Lyons Falls NY; Jody (Tony) Secor, Lake Lure NC; eight grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; one niece; three nephews; and sister Elpha White, Schenectady NY. He was predeceased by his parents, sister Joyce Mashaw, and babies Rodney, and twins Frederick & Fredina. Fred spent his 90 years in the Port Leyden/Lyons Falls area. He was a loving, devoted family man and friend to everyone. He greeted everyone with a big smile, a hug, and usually a joke or two. He was always willing to lend a helping hand. He was an honest, dependable and conscientious man with a heart of gold. He loved spending time with his beloved dog Taffy and later his two beloved cats Mama Kitty & Baby Kitty. He will be greatly missed at Stewarts where he daily enjoyed coffee with his buddies and at the Senior Nutrition mealsite where he was lovingly harassed for not eating his vegetables. He was known and loved by so many due to his fun-loving personality and genuine kindness. He was a man one didn't forget. There will be no calling hours. A graveside military service will be held in the spring. Date and time will be announced at a later date. For an online message of sympathy or to share a memory of Fred, please go to www.trainorfuneralhome.com.