Frederick William Helming Jr., 93, of Gorham and Southport, Maine, died on June 12 at his home on Southport Island.

Fred was born in Waterbury, Connecticut on December 28, 1923, the older son of Frederick William and Augusta (Theer) Helming. He graduated from Crosby High School in 1941 and from the University of Connecticut in 1944.  Fred served in the U.S. Navy for two years during World War II. 

Fred married Agnes Anthony on June 28, 1947, and they raised their family in Waterbury.

Fred worked for the Bristol Company in Waterbury as a product engineer, later becoming the plant manager.  In 1977, Fred and Agnes moved to Wallingford, Connecticut, where Fred worked at Unimax Switch Company until his retirement.  In 2008, Fred and Agnes moved to Gorham, Maine.

Throughout his life, and no matter where he lived, Fred was involved in his community as a volunteer.  He was a Boy Scout as a child and a Boy Scout leader for his sons’ troops.  He sung in the choir at the St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waterbury and served as secretary of the church council. While in Wallingford, Fred served as a trustee and deacon at the First Congregational Church, was on the library board, volunteered as a driver for the Red Cross, served as an election poll worker, and was the co-director of Holiday for Giving, an annual charitable program. In 2005, Fred was recognized for his volunteer work by the Wallingford Rotary Club as its Citizen of the Year.  In Gorham, Fred was a member of First Congregational Church of Gorham, served on the Pheasant Knoll condominium association board, and volunteered weekly at the Gorham Ecumenical Food Pantry until last fall.  Fred and Agnes spent summers at their seaside cottage on Cozy Harbor in Southport, where Fred served a term as commodore of the Southport Yacht Club and was on the building and grounds committee for many years.  Fred was a 32nd degree Mason.

Fred enjoyed sailing on the Sheepscot River, traveling and participating in Elderhostel programs around the world, woodworking, and refinishing furniture.  He especially enjoyed making toys for his grandchildren and items for the annual Southport Yacht Club craft fair. 

Fred is survived by Toni, his wife of nearly 70 years, and five children:  David Helming and wife Lill of Sharon, Connecticut; F. William Helming III and wife Peg of Southport; Jim Helming and wife Kathy of Portland and Southport; Susan Godfrey and husband Chet of Charlton, Massachusetts, and Thomas Helming and wife Mary of Somerville, Massachusetts and Southport; twelve grandchildren: Sarah Helming, Andrew Helming, Matthew Helming, Nathan Helming, Timothy Helming, Luke Helming, Lexi Helming, Meg Helming, Brett Godfrey, Craig Godfrey, Katherine Helming Walsh, and Emily Helming, and four great-grandchildren.

Fred was predeceased by his son John in 1977, his parents, and his brother Warren.

There will be a memorial service at 9:30am on Saturday, July 1 at All Saints Chapel, Southport.  A reception will be held at the Southport Yacht Club, Cozy Harbor Road, from 10:30 a.m.-noon. 

Donations in Fred’s memory may be made to Southport Yacht Club, P.O. Box 57, Southport, ME 04576 or Miles & St. Andrews Home Health & Hospice, c/o Development Office, 35 Miles St., Damariscotta, ME  04543.

To express condolences and to participate in Fred’s online tribute, please visit www.dolbyfuneralchapels.com