Frederick C. Mitchell, a Sag Harbor volunteer fireman for nearly 60 years and onetime fire chief, was given a full Fire Department funeral service in Sag Harbor on May 18.
“The Fire Department went above and beyond for him. They put the huge flag up for him. He rode on an antique fire truck and they drove him by our house and the firehouse,” said his son, Daniel Mitchell. “The service was at the Old Whalers Church, Nancy Remkus officiated, and Fire Department members were the pallbearers. It was just wonderful.”
Mr. Mitchell, who died of congestive heart failure at home on May 13 at the age of 83, had lived his entire life in Sag Harbor, except for his time in the Navy. He served aboard the U.S.S. Cadmus from 1956 to 1959, after which he was honorably discharged.
Returning to Sag Harbor, he joined Harold McMahon Plumbing and Heating as a plumber, a job he held for more than 40 years. In August 1972 he married Gail Curles of Amagansett, who survives. They had two children — Karianne Mitchell, who lives in Rochester, and Daniel, who lives in the house next to his parents’ house in Sag Harbor with his wife, Shawn Beyer-Mitchell, and their four children.
“My dad was a wonderful grandfather, very devoted,” said his son. “I think his favorite thing in the world was his grandkids. He actually helped take care of them at times, and they kind of don’t know life without him next door. So, it’s been a bit of an adjustment.”
He described Mr. Mitchell as a well-liked and respected member of the Sag Harbor community who enjoyed the water, hunting, and fishing. “He was a low-key, quiet guy,” his son said.
Mr. Mitchell was born on Sept. 21, 1938, at Southampton Hospital to Godfrey Mitchell, a plumber, and Charlotte Mitchell, who worked in a Sag Harbor bakery at the time.
In addition to his wife and children, he is survived by his grandchildren, Brandan, 16, Evan, 13, Cameron, 10, and Adalyn, 8.
Mr. Mitchell was buried at St. Andrew Cemetery in Sag Harbor. Memorial donations have been suggested to East End Hospice, online at eeh.org, or the Sag Harbor Fire Department Benevolent Fund, P.O. Box 209, Sag Harbor 11963.
