Frederick Arthur Eldridge, 97, of Cedar Hill Health Care in Windsor, VT died Friday morning, April 18, 2008 at Cedar Hill Health Care Center.  He was born in Smithfield, RI on August 19, 1910 the son of Charles Fred and Sadie (Sebille) Eldridge.  He lived his life in the Gloucester, Smithfield, Scituate corner of RI until 1998 when due to failing health, he and his wife moved to Vermont to be near their daughter.  He retired in 1973 from the Brown & Sharpe Mfg. Co. in Providence and No. Kingtown, RI where he worked as an od grinder operator for 36 years.  He also picked apples and peaches for Ernie Windsor in Glocester, RI, worked at Greenville Finishing Co., Warren Pump Co in Peacedale, RI, part-time for Western Auto, Olneyville & Hoyle Square in Providence, RI and delivered flowers for George D. Brush Florist in N. Scituate for over 20 years.  Fred was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.  Kind and compassionate, he was more willing to give that receive.  His greatest joys in life were tinkering with Model “T” and Model “A” Fords as a youth, gardening, reminiscing with friends and family about all the wonders he experienced growing up in rural RI.  The way to his heart was to offer him a fresh peach straight from the tree or a fresh ear of corn from the garden.  In his 97 ½ years, Fred never had an unkind word to say about anyone.  The world has lost a light and a gentle soul, Rest in Peace.

He was the widower of Doris I. (Thurber) Eldridge whom he married in June of 1934 and she died May 6, 1999.

The surviving family includes one daughter, Lois I. Fitts of Cornish Flat; three grandchildren, Russell J. Amison of Auburn, ME, Robin J. Reinhart of Branchburg, NJ and Donald E. Amison of Wyandotte, MI; five great-grandchildren Zachary, Connor and Jonas Reinhart of Branchburg, NJ, Rebecca and Karalyn Amison of Wyandotte, MI and nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held at Cedar Hill Health Care Center in Windsor, VT on Monday, April 28^th at Two O’clock with Rev. Constance Moser, Pastor of the Ascutney Union Church, officiating. 

Interment will be at the Acote’s Hill Cemetery in Chepachet, RI on July 12, 2008 at Two O’clock.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Cedar Hill Activity Fund, Cedar Hill Dr., Windsor, VT 05089 or a charity of one’s choice.