Kenneth Norman "Pop" Fredrickson, 98, of Newtown died peacefully March 5, at his home with family nearby. He was born in Bridgeport, son of Carl Simon Fredrickson and Hilda Charlotte (Henning) Fredrickson/Goetz on August 13, 1919.

Mr Fredrickson attended the Pequot School in Fairfield and was a member of the Class of 1934. He  continued his education at Roger Ludlow High School, followed by the State Trade School in Bridgeport, where he learned and mastered his craft. As a master carpenter, he built several homes that stand today in the Lordship Section of Stratford, including the home he built for his family in 1948. When the family made their move to Newtown in 1958, he continued his trade in several towns in Fairfield County, employed by Chamberlain Construction Company.

In his youth, he actively participated in the Sea Scouts under the leadership of his mentor, Skipper Edward Speer. He was a member of the Sea Scout Ship #84, Typhoon, in Southport, from 1930 to 1940, and he continued scouting with the youth of Lordship as Skipper of Ship #74, E.S. Barracuda, for many years.

During World War II, Mr Fredrickson proudly served in the US Coast Guard from November 13, 1941, to November 10, 1945, serving as chief aboard the USS Centaurus, in the Philippines 1943 to 1944.

A man of many talents, Mr Fredrickson loved to go out dancing with his best girl and at family occasions. He appreciated all kinds of music, faithfully listening to the Metropolitan Opera's live Saturday broadcasts for years. As his family and friends can attest, he was an avid harmonica player and could be counted on to play a variety of fun and patriotic tunes at any gathering. He also lived alone, maintained his home, and took care of himself for many years.

Of all that Mr Fredrickson accomplished in his 98-plus years he was most proud of his family. He loved to know about each and every one of his family members, names, dates, and activities while encouraging everyone to stay in touch by creating, copying, and mailing his lists of birthdays and contact info to everyone in the family, updated annually. Family meant everything to him, and he meant everything to his family.

Six of his seven children and their spouses, Karen Norma Miller of Dexter, Maine; Kristina Natalie Maddocks of Woodbury; Karl Norman and Lynn Prewitt Frederickson of Waskom, Texas; Kemper Neil and Debbie Luckner Fredrickson of Fair Haven, Vt.; Kirsten Nancy and John T. Dunleavy of Bethel; and Katrin Nina Hall of Woodbury; and a daughter-in-law Michelle (Pulsifer) Frederickson of Rockland, Mass., survive him. He is also survived by 19 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, and 10 great-great-grandchildren, totaling 65 direct descendants, each with their own "Pop" stories to tell.

The love of his life, Elizabeth Marie (Bissonnette), the girl he married on April 18, 1942, predeceased him on November 1, 1982. Mr Frederickson spent the last 35 years in their home surrounded by memories of their life together and photographs of all of their children and their families. He would say that there was no other woman that could replace her, telling his children, "I did not love your mother, I adored her."

In addition to his wife, his son, USCG Chief Kenneth Nels Frederickson; brother, Carl Henning Frederickson; grandson, Jordan Andrew Hall; and sons-in-law, Raymond E. Miller, Jr, and Harold J. Maddocks, Jr, predeceased him.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a charity of one's choice or by donating a Christmas tree bulb in his memory to the Annual Newtown Chamber of Commerce's Ram Pasture Christmas Tree Lighting. Check payable to: Newtown Chamber of Commerce, 45 Main Street, Newtown CT 06470 or by calling 203-426-2695. Every year, Mr Fredrickson would donate a bulb in memory of his wife, as a tribute to their love, light, and family, and to beautiful Newtown, his home for the past 60 years.

There will be a private family gathering as he wished, and burial will be at St Michael's Cemetery, 2205 Stratford Avenue, Stratford.

There will be a "Celebration of Pop's Life & Legacy" picnic and party on August 12, on what would have been his 99th birthday weekend. Friends and neighbors are invited to join the family in the celebration of their patriarch and a life well lived. To receive an invitation, send e-mail popliveson@earthlink.net.

The family wishes to extend their sincere gratitude to all of Mr Fredrickson's loving neighbors who would reach out and wave as they went by or stop in to drop off delicious meals and treats, all the while keeping watch over him as he lived with determined independence in his home on the hill. The family wishes to give a special thanks to Lisa, who they love.

From Psalm 127:3-5, the family says, "Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them."

The family would like to thank Honan Funeral Home for assisting with and handling all funeral arrangements.

To leave an online condolence, visit honanfh.com.