Obituary of Frederick Charles Zahn

Fred was born and raised in Fort Erie and later in life considered it the best place on earth. At 21 he joined the United States Marine Corps and trained at Camp Lejeune, N. Carolina. His first tour was the Dominican Republic and then to Vietnam where he was a field radio operator. He received the Vietnamese Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. In 1966 Fred was made a sergeant after 3 years (which was the youngest at the time). He was honourably discharged on March 17, 1969. While in service he met Charles Meeler, who would become a lifelong friend and would often take Fred home to S. Carolina on weekends. Charles’ family took a liking to Fred and regarded him a part of their own family. We would continue to go to S. Carolina yearly to visit the Meeler family.

After his service he returned to Fort Erie and got a job at Bethlehem Steel, Lackawanna N.Y. He met his wife, Carol, and married in 1968. After 16 years, the Steel plant shut down and he was fortunate to get his next job as a welder at General Motors St. Catharines. After 20 years he took an early retirement in 2003 and enjoyed every minute of every day and never idled. His passion was his bicycles. He rode daily and if he was not riding, he was cleaning and tuning his bikes. Fred was very proud of his 5 trips cycling from Niagara Falls to Florida with friends. Other rides included Seattle to San Francisco, Texas to home, and Iowa to home. He told us; of the people he met and the things he saw became true memories.

Also his passion was his 1971 MGB sports car. He couldn’t wait for April to come so he could take it out of storage. If he wasn’t working on his MGB, he was enjoying his evening rides after dinner. Over the years he would hitch his trailer to his truck and go to dirt tracks in Canada and the U.S. to watch Sprint Car Races. The last few years he liked to go to his trailer and enjoy a campfire. His trailer was also a place where he could stop his cycling and rest. Fred found peace sitting in the backyard under “his maple tree” which was his relaxing time. He would read, watch the birds, listen to the pond and nap. Winters were for reading or puttering in his workshop on his bicycles. When covid hit, he liked visiting book boxes in our area so he had something new to read.

Thank you to all his great friends and Dr. Scher. He had a life well lived and he left us with a lifetime of loving memories to share.

“Semper Fi”

Fred was a loving husband to Carol (54 years). Proud father to Robert (Kristina) Zahn and Lindsay Zahn. His pride and joy were his grandchildren, Braeden and Ethan Zahn and Acadia Saulnier. He was also survived by his sister Nancy (Wayne) Hardwick. Frederick was predeceased by parents James and Marion Zahn and his brothers Jim and Larry Zahn.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Essentials Cremation and Burial Services (905-354-2133). As per his wishes cremation has taken place. In his memory donations may be made to Crohn’s and Colitis Canada or McMaster Children's Hospital in honour of Ethan Zahn, would be greatly appreciated. Online condolences may be shared on Frederick's tribute page found at EssentialsNiagara.com.