Kenneth Norman "Pop" Fredrickson, 98, of Newtown, Connecticut, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 5, 2018 at his home, with family nearby. He was preceded in death by the love of his life, Elizabeth Marie (Bissonnette), the girl he married on April 18, 1942. Marie passed on November 1, 1982 and Pop has 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, "I did not love your mother, I adored her."

Kenneth was born in Bridgeport, CT to Carl Simon Fredrickson and Hilda Charlotte (Henning) Fredrickson/Goetz on August 13, 1919. He attended the Pequot School in Fairfield, CT and was a member of the class of 1934. He went on to continue his education at Roger Ludlow High School followed by the State Trade School in Bridgeport, CT were he learned and mastered his craft. As a Master Carpenter, he built several homes that stand today in the Lordship section of Stratford, CT, including the home he built for his family in 1948. When the family made their move to Newtown in 1958, Pop 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. Ken was a member of the Sea Scout Ship #84, Typhoon in Southport, CT from 1930-1940 and he continued scouting with the youth of Lordship as Skipper of Ship #74, E.S. Barracuda for many years.

During W.W.II, Mr. Fredrickson proudly served in the U.S. Coast Guard from November 13, 1941 to November 10, 1945, serving as Chief aboard the U.S.S. Centaurus, in the Philippines 1943-1944.

As a man of many talents, Pop (as he is affectionately known to all) 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. And 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, many years.

Kenneth is preceded in death by his beautiful wife, Elizabeth Marie (Bissonnette); his son U.S.C.G Chief Kenneth Nels Frederickson; brother, Carl Henning Frederickson; grandson, Jordan Andrew Hall; and son-in-laws, Raymond E. Miller, Jr. and Harold J. Maddocks, Jr.




Of all that Pop accomplished in his 98 plus years he was most proud of his family. Mr. Fredrickson is survived by 6 of his 7 children: Karen Norma Miller of Dexter, ME, Kristina Natalie Maddocks of Woodbury, CT, Karl Norman (Lynn Prewitt) Frederickson of Waskom, TX, Kemper Neil (Debbie Luckner) Fredrickson of Fair Haven, VT, Kirsten Nancy (John T.) Dunleavy of Bethel, CT, daughter-in-law Michelle (Pulsifer) Frederickson of Rockland, MA, and Katrin Nina Hall of Woodbury, CT. There’s more… 19 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren and 10 great great grandchildren. That’s a total of 65 direct descendents, each with their own "Pop" stories to tell. Pop 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 Pop means everything to all of us.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a charity of your choice, or you may wish to donate a Christmas tree bulb (or a few) in his memory to the Annual Newtown Chamber of Commerce’s "Ram Pasture Christmas Tree Lighting.” Each bulb is a $10 donation and you may mail your request with a check payable to: The Newtown Chamber of Commerce, 45 Main Street, Newtown, CT 06470 or call: 203-426-2695. Every year, Pop 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 sixty years.

Condolences may be offered at the Honan Funeral Home online guest book at www.honanfh.com



There will be a private family gathering as he wished, and burial will be at St. Michael's Cemetery in Stratford, CT. Thank you to Honan Funeral Home for assisting with and handling all funeral arrangements.

There will be a “Celebration of Pop’s Life & Legacy” picnic and party on August 12, 2018 on what would have been his 99th Birthday weekend. Friends and neighbors are invited to join our family in this celebration of our patriarch and a life well lived! To receive your invitation, please send your e-mail address to: popliveson@earthlink.net.

The family wishes to extend their sincere gratitude to all of Pop's loving neighbors who would reach out and wave as they went by, 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. A special thanks to Lisa, we love you.

"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." Psalm 127:3-5

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Kenneth Norman "Pop" Fredrickson, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.