Frederick W. Lelong

Frederick W. LeLong, 67, of Bowmansville passed away Thursday, August 22, 2013 in West Reading, PA. He was born August 2, 1946 in New Brunswick, NJ, the son of the late John W. and Elizabeth M. LeLong and grew up in Fords, NJ.

He graduated in 1966 from John F. Kennedy High School in Iselin, NJ and then attended RCA Institute in New York City to study broadcast engineering. Upon completion he moved to Indianapolis to work in a television station there. In late 1967 he moved back to Fords, NJ and took a job as a Broadcast Engineer for Telemundo TV – Channel 47 in Newark, NJ until 1994.

Over the years Fred was an avid saltwater fisherman, camper and woodturner. He and wife Kathy started their own business, It’s Our Turn, showing and selling his hand turned wooden pieces for several years. Fred served as a volunteer firefighter for 17 years with the Fords Fire Company and is a past President. After moving to Bowmansville in 1996, Fred joined the Bowmansville Fire Company in 1998 serving as Lt. of the Fire Police. He eventually took on the challenge of running the annual fund drive for the fire company.

Fred is survived by his wife of 43 years Kathleen, their son Christopher and his wife Becky of Manchester, NJ, a nephew Scott Patterson of Lawrenceville, NJ , a niece Lori Patterson, of Mercerville, NJ, cousins Lyman O’Neill of FL and William Balderston of CA. He will also be missed by his beloved dog, Shane and parrot, Travis.

Visitation will be held Saturday, August 31 beginning at 11 a.m. with a memorial service at noon at the Eckenroth Home for Funerals, 209 East Main St, Terre Hill, PA.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Bowmansville Fire Company, P.O. Box 302, Bowmansville, Pa. 17507. Online condolences may be posted on our website, www.groffeckenroth.com.