Fredrick “Fred” Grudak, 91, of Murphy, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, in a Georgia hospital.
Fred was born Oct. 29, 1930, at home in Medway, Mass., to Henry and Catherine (Platita) Grudak.
He worked the farm from an early age, using horses until they supplemented them with a tractor.
He entered the Army and served from 1952-1954 and was stationed in Europe.
Soon after returning home, he was introduced to the love of his life, Cynthia Charles, and married her on Dec. 29, 1956, leading to over 65 years of marriage.
He drove a truck, worked on the building of the interstate highways and the building of power lines.
He purchased a farm in Salisbury, N.H., that was built in the 1770s to raise his family. In Hooksett, N.H., he had a lawn and garden equipment, snowmobile and mini-bike business. From there, Fred went to Grafton, N.H., and he and Cindy taught themselves about antiques. They had a knack for it and found joy in locating unique items that other people desired.
They moved south and spent the last 30 years in their shop at Fosters Flea Market in Murphy, where they had a following and more friends than you could count. Fred worked hard and was proud that his honesty was his calling card.
He was preceded in death by his son, Robert Paul Grudak in 1978; and his parents and siblings.
Surviving are his wife of over 65 years, Cynthia (Charles) Grudak of Murphy; his son, Fred C. Grudak of Murphy; his daughters, Diana Keen and her husband, Bill, of Oxford, Pa., and Karen Charbono and her husband, Dena, of Pike, N.H.; grandchildren, Kirsten Charbono, Christopher Wiggin and Brandon Wiggin; great-granddaughter, Sara Wiggin; his life-long best friend, Ted Valpey of Dover, N.H.; nieces and nephews; and countless friends.
A family memorial service in New Hampshire will be conducted at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to New Hampshire Fish and Game at www.wildlife.state.nh.us or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org.
Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy, is in charge of arrangements.
An online guest register is available at www.iviefuneralhome.com.