Frederick Thomas Mageau

TRAVERSE CITY - Frederick "Fred" Thomas Mageau, 92, of Traverse City, passed away on Thursday, August 18, 2016. Fred was born on November 13, 1923 (Friday the 13th) in Detroit, to the late Thomas and Susan (Cunningham) Mageau.
Fred graduated from St. Rose High School in Detroit and attended Wayne State University for Undergrad and Grad School and later earned a Masters degree in English Literature.
He is a Veteran of WWII and proudly served in the U.S. Army as a Private First Class Cannoneer, in the 430th Anti Aircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion, and served in the European theatre in Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland and Central Europe from March 3, 1943 through December 22, 1945. He was awarded the European Theater Ribbon w/4 Bronze Stars; Good Conduct Medal and the Victory Medal World War II.
He married the love of his life Elizabeth Ann Szyperski, on January 21, 1950, in Detroit, and the couple celebrated 62 years of marriage living in Detroit (Eastside), Redford, MI, Farmington Hills, MI, and Stanwood, MI.
Fred was employed as a Manager with Michigan Bell, National Yellow Pages and AT&T. He was a devoted Catholic and served as an Alter Boy in his youth and in retirement was an active member of St. Michaels Catholic Church in Remus, MI.
He was a Great Father and he provided his kids with a solid moral and ethical compass. He worked hard and would lead by example until the job was done. He was a vivacious reader and could read you a story with such emphasis that you felt like you were there. Also, he never said "no" to a game of catch. Fred displayed a great appreciation for Comedy and Wit, and enjoyed Laurel and Hardy, Jackie Gleason, Laugh in, Abbott and Costello and Monty Python's Flying Circus. He loved the theater and was active with the Canadian Lakes Players.
He is survived by his son, Mark (Colleen) Mageau; and daughter, Denise Alberts; six grandchildren; and eight great grandchildren.
Fred was preceded in death by his wife Elizabeth "Betty" Mageau.
A Funeral Mass Service will be celebrated on Friday, August 26, 2016 at 11 a.m. at the St. Michaels Catholic Church, 8929 50th Ave, Remus, MI 49340.
Memorial contributions in Fred's name may be made to St. Michaels Catholic Church in Remus, MI.
The family is being cared for by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.