Frederick W. Stapf, Jr. passed away peacefully on September 17, 2016 following complications from a fall in his home in April.
Fred was born in The Bronx, New York, on September 29, 1928. He was predeceased by his parents, Frederick and Freida (Scheufle), his sister Helen Salowey, and his beloved wife of 52 years, Janice (Carrie) Stapf.
Fred left high school early and lied about his age so he could enlist in the US Army, where he served as a radio operator. He was probably one of the youngest surviving US Army World War II veterans and certainly one of the proudest. Following his discharge from the Army, Fred earned his high school diploma.
Fred and Janice met in New York City over the telephone when both were employed by the phone company, New York Bell, and were married there in 1951. They enjoyed telling the story of their first in-person meeting. When he came to the door, Janice's roommate was supposed to loudly announce that she had suddenly left to care for her ailing mother in Jacksonville if he didn't look like a nice boy.
Fred was able to obtain a transfer to Southern Bell in Jacksonville in 1953, and continued to work for the phone company for over 35 years. Some of his fondest memories were of working in the small Mandarin office, growing tomatoes out back and watching them grow during lunch.
While Fred did not pursue higher education, he acquired great knowledge of history, especially American military history, how things work, and the natural world, through reading, watching documentaries and talking to people. He seemed to always have the answer.
He instilled the values of honesty (go back in the store if the cashier gave you too much change), working hard, respect for authority, and not letting life's challenges get you down, in his children and grandchildren. He also showed the family how to have fun, whether it was hosting a group of his daughters' JU friends, playing board games, or enjoying the beach during one of the many South Ponte Vedra beach house vacations with Janice, their daughters, sons-in-law and grandchildren.
Fred was a member of the Arlington Optimist Club for many years, serving as its president from 1978-1979. During retirement, in addition to the Optimist Club, he enjoyed vegetable gardening (becoming a Master Gardener), fishing with his brother-in-law, Malcolm, and sons-in-law, woodworking, rooting for the Jaguars as an original season ticket owner, and, to the great surprise of his family, cooking.
Fred is survived by a loving family who will miss his friendship, guidance, and his presence as a Cribbage opponent. He leaves behind three daughters and their spouses, Kristi (Dennis) Roberge of Coventry, CT; Laura (Rev. Robert) Scialo of Jacksonville; and Janet (Kevin) Buford also of Jacksonville. He also leaves eight grandchildren of whom he was extremely proud and who loved and appreciated him in return: Aimee Roberge of New York City and Derek Roberge of Jacksonville; Carrie (Walton) Scialo Leddy, Anthony, Marie, and Joanna Scialo; and Lucas and Thompson Buford, all of Jacksonville. He also leaves behind a sister-in-law Marjorie Carrie of Orange Park, and many nieces and nephews, including Joseph Salowey of Seattle.
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