1 Photo
Fred Overton
pril 12th, 2023 – Frederick D. Overton Sr (Fred), a true “Son of the Beach” passed away quietly on the morning of April 12th, 2023. He was 92 years old.
Fred was born January 29th, 1931, the son of Decatur G and Lillie (Muller) Overton in Southampton Hospital and brought home to the family residence on Cooks Lane in Westhampton. From this home, he experienced the 1938 Hurricane, the black out curtains and rationing of World War II and his time in Westhampton Schools. He graduated as part of the Class of 1949, where he excelled in basketball, shop, and theater as he was designated “class clown.”
After graduation, he used his industrial arts skills as a carpenter for Harold Skidmore Construction. In 1952, he was inducted into the US Army, completed basic training and was assigned to the Engineers Corps, where he continued training at Fort Belvoir, Georgia. From there, he was deployed to South Korea to provide Engineer support during the Korean War. He served in Korea for 16 months before being honorably discharged in 1954 with the rank of Technical Sergeant. From there, Fred returned home to Westhampton to resume his job as a carpenter for Harold Skidmore. Over the years, he worked for various other companies including Wessler and Habb and Westhampton Glass with his good friend, Bob Busking Sr. In 1970, he succeeded Theodore “Dode” Hulse as the manager for LaCoquille Cooperative on Dune Rd, a position he held until his retirement in 2003.
During his life, Fred was involved in many community organizations including the Westhampton Veterans Athletic Association where he played both town team baseball and basketball (past President), Westhampton PAL, East End Little League, Boy Scouts, Riverhead Methodist Church, Westhampton Beach Historical Society and, of course, the Westhampton Beach Fire Department.
Fred joined the department in January 1955, an organization he remained a member of until the time of his passing. Fred always said he joined the department to be part of the “Sons of the Beach” racing team, but his passion for the department became evident soon after. Over the years, he served as a firefighter, officer, chief (1980-83), council member and secretary. He served as president of the Peconic Chiefs Association and member of the Southampton Town Chiefs Association. He fought in some of the communities most historic fires including the 1968 brush fires, the Moreland house fire, the Yardarm fire and the 1995 wildfires. He was a charter member of the Westhampton Fire Department Benevolent Association, an organization that supports both members and their families in times of need, when it was formed in 1974.
In the early 80’s he and his friend Pat Covello formalized a fire education program to address state requirements for fire education in the classroom and teach the elementary students practical life/safety skills in the event of fire. Every fall, Fred could be found on his hands and knees helping young children train to escape, report and survive fire. This program remains active today, often evident by the Fire Education Trailer on the school grounds. To further promote fire safety throughout Suffolk County, Fred and Pat helped establish the Suffolk County Fire Educators Association. Fred was also crucial in getting the Firefighters Length of Service Awards Program (LOSAP) established to help recruit and, more importantly, retain volunteer firefighters in our community.
Until 2003, the Westhampton Beach Fire Department was part of the Village of Westhampton Beach government. In 2003, it was decided the Fire Department was better served to become its own political and tax entity. Fred was appointed to serve on its initial Board of Commissioners and then was subsequently elected to 3 separate 5 year terms. Fred was truly humbled when he was elected by his fellow commissioners Arma “Ham” Andon, Vic Levy, Don Metcalf and Dean Culber as chairman of the board, a position he held until 2018. Once the old firehouse was replaced by today’s existing headquarters, Fred decided it was time to turn the reins over to younger commissioners and he retired from truly his favorite (unpaid) job.
Fred also served as the fire department’s house comedian. Every year, the members looked forward to his roast of the members, community politicians and, of course, whoever was being honored as that particular year for his past service. Fred’s roasts were always influenced by some of his favorite comedians, particularly Red Buttons and his “never had a dinner” roasts in the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts.
In 1958, Fred met his first love, Joyce Benjamin from Riverhead. They were married November 1st, 1958 and created their home a few 100 feet from Fred’s childhood home in Westhampton. Together, they had two sons. Fred and Joyce remained together for 47 years until Joyce’s passing in 2005 from Alzheimer’s Disease. In 2010, he found love again with his partner, Marilyn Aldrich of East Quogue. Marilyn and Fred remained devoted to each other until his passing this past week.
Fred is survived by his son Raymond of Westhampton Beach and his wife Michelle, their children Chris Alexus (Billy) and Miranda, his son Frederick Jr/Ricky of Tokyo, Japan, his wife Hiromi and their children, Eric and Sean. In 2022, Fred was also thrilled by the birth of two great grandchildren, Carmina Rose and Weston Frederick. As their many friends can attest, the Overton home was always a welcoming and loving place
The Westhampton Beach Fire Department hosted calling hours as well as services by both the Veterans of Foreign Wars and firematic services on Sunday, April 16th. 2023. Final respects were paid by the family and fire department on Monday, April 17th followed by a procession past the fire house for Fred’s final alarm and ride to his final resting place at Westhampton Cemetery. The graveside service included military honors by members of the US Army. The family would like to thank everyone who wrote, called and met with them during this celebration of Fred’s life. He will be missed, but his memory and legacy will live on.
Staff Writer on Apr 21, 2023