Fredrick Mordecai Gold, born in Brooklyn, New York, on July 31, 1936, died at 84 years of age in the house he built in Eureka, California, surrounded by loved ones, on Feb. 1, 2021. He is dearly missed. He passed after a short and courageous fight with cancer. He beat it three previous times, but it won in the end. He told us that he was not afraid or sad to die, saying that he had had a good life, but was worried and sad for those he was leaving behind. We are grateful that the end was quick and mostly painless, due to the outstanding efforts of Humboldt County Hospice. Fred was very happy to have been able to stay in his home and be with loved ones until the end. He was able to do this for his father Philip before him, and we were fortunate to be able to do the same for him.

Fred was born to Phillip and Minerva, their third child, Jay and Joan preceding him. He is survived by his brother Jay and partner Susan, his sister Joan, his sons Aaron and Jordan, his nieces, Mercedes, Barbara, and Laura, his nephew Fernando, his partner Carolyn and his ex-wife Maggie.

Fred spent his early life in Brooklyn, New York, and graduated from Erasmus Hall High School in 1955, after which he joined the Navy and served aboard the U.S.S Ticonderoga. He earned an Associate in Arts Degree from Santa Monica City College in 1972, after which he moved to Eureka and attended Humboldt State University, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1974.

Prior to moving west from New York, Fred and his father owned a small business on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn, where they sold antiques and made and restored furniture. During this time, he was married and had his two sons. Fred was a highly skilled artist and craftsman and was amazingly capable in many forms and media, though woodworking was where his talent really shone, especially regarding creating artwork using the wood lathe. He created many bracelets and bowls that are cherished by his family and friends. He built furniture and several small boats. During his last years, he grew interested in building wooden bows, and like most things he set his mind to during his life, he was successful in building some beautiful bows, which he happily used in his backyard. Fred was also passionate and accomplished at gardening and cooking. He enjoyed both during his 30 years or so of retirement from the Teamsters union, which he joined during his years of driving a concrete delivery truck. Few things made him happier than sharing a meal with friends or family, especially his friend Carolyn, whom he had dinner with almost every night for decades.

Fred’s ashes will be interred next to his father’s in a plot overlooking the ocean in Trinidad. Donations in his name may be sent to the American Cancer Society. We will keep you in our hearts forever, Fred. Rest in peace.