Former Hampton Bays Volunteer Fire Department Chief Fred G. Wouters of Hampton Bays died at the Hampton Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing in Southampton on Tuesday, April 14. He was 83.
Mr. Wouters joined the Hampton Bays Fire Department in 1942, when he was 17. Two years later, he officially became a member of the department, loyally serving for more than 60 years.
From 1946 to 1948, he was a lieutenant; 1949 to 1953 he was a captain; from 1954 to 1956 he was the 1st assistant chief; and from 1957 to 1961 he was the chief of the department. He also served the department and community for 30 years as a member and officer of the Hampton Bays Volunteer Fire Department Board of Commissioners.
Among his many occupations, Mr. Wouters served as a Southampton Town Fire Warden and the 1st chief fire inspector for the Town of Southampton, and eventually worked at the Town of Southampton Highway Department.
He served as president of the Hampton Bays Volunteer Fire Department, president of the Hampton Bays Exempt Association, president of the Southampton Town Fire District Association, and was the recipient of the Hampton Bays Old Timers Award in 1976 and 1993. He was also named fireman of the year in 1962 and 1991.
Mr. Wouters also found time to extend his activities to groups in the Town of Southampton, the State of New York and Suffolk County. He was a member of the Suffolk County Fire Chiefs Association; the Southampton Town Fire Chiefs Association; the International Association of Fire Chiefs; the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs; the Firemen’s Association for the State of New York; the Southampton, East Hampton, Shelter Island Town Chiefs Association; the Sunrise Firemen’s Association; the New York Association of Fire Commissioners; and the Suffolk County Fire District Officers Association.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Shirley (née Downs) Wouters; two sons, Robert Gregor and his wife Kathy of Hampton Bays, and Patrick Gregor and his wife Diane of Remsenburg; two daughters, Shirel Clemenz and her husband Kevin, and Suzanne Friend and her husband Bob of Hampton Bays; two brothers, George Wouters and his wife Ann of Holbrook, and Charlie Wouters and his wife Diddy of Hampton Bays; a sister-in-law, Gertrude Wouters of Southampton; five grandchildren, Kimberly Ottati and her husband Patrick, Shawn Gregor and his wife Tabitha, Patrick L. Gregor Jr., Ryan S. Gregor and Brianne Gregor; and three great-grandchildren, Brianna, Elizabeth and Christian Ottati.
He was predeceased by two brothers, Raymond and Leonard Wouters; and a grandson, Robbie Gregor.
A wake with firematic services was held at the J. Ronald Scott Funeral Home in Hampton Bays on April 16. A firematic service with honor guard was held on April 17. The Reverend Daniel Harris conducted a funeral service at the funeral home on April 18; interment followed at Good Ground Cemetery in Hampton Bays.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Hampton Bays Volunteer Fire Department, 69 West Montauk Highway, Hampton Bays, NY 11946 would be appreciated by the family.
on Apr 22, 2009