by Contributor | August 19, 2016 12:48 pm
OSWEGO, NY – Wilfred (Fred) Raes, 92, a resident of Oswego, died Friday August 19, 2016.
He was a retired Coast Guard Commander of 25 years and was stationed in Oswego from 1961-1965.
He attended US Coast Guard Academy in New London Conn., and graduated with a BS degree in Engineering.
Upon retirement, he graduated from Syracuse University with a MS degree in mathematics and taught in Corcoran High School in Syracuse until retiring again in 1995.
His hobbies were fishing and more fishing, playing bridge and winning, collecting stuff and never getting rid of it, reading the NY Times even though he was a staunch Conservative, yearly trips to Maine for lobster, going to his camp on Seneca Lake and taking naps.
He was a member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church, the Oswego Elks Club, Oswego County Bridge Association, Finger Lakes Ecology Association, and the Retired Officers Association.
He was a patriot.
He had a sharp mind and was keenly interested in world events.
He also would quiz the grandkids on their grades in school, what they were going to do with their lives and encouraged them by giving grants for their higher education.
He loved his family and extended family that was a “package deal” when he married Grace, the love of his life.
As a husband, he was loyal, supportive, annoying and stubborn at times.
He was a good man.
Surviving are his wife, Grace; children, Jon Raes (Jenna Weitzel), of Syracuse and Eric Raes (Nanette) of Baldwinsville; brothers, Tom Raes (Kathy) of Rochester and Bob Raes (Sue) of Apopka, Fla.; step-children, Sandra Miller (Don), Laurie Burns (Tom), Jerry Blum (Cheri) and James Blum (Gail); 11 step-grandchildren; 16 step-great-grandchildren; and two step-great-great-grandchildren.
A Catholic Mass will be celebrated 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Paul’s Church.
Burial will be held in Minetto Cemetery.
Calling hour will be held 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at the Nelson Funeral Home, 11 W. Albany St., Oswego.
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