Frederick “ Fritz” Drift peacefully passed away on February 1st, 2018 after a long battle with cancer. He lead a life many people envied.
Fred was born on October 18th, 1934, to the late John and Katherine (Stritter) Drift and grew up with 4 sibilings in Belle Mead, NJ; The original homesetad is now owened by Dwayne and his wife. Fred was a Jersey guy; raised and schooled in Montgomery Township and Princeton, NJ. He was a Navy man and served 8 active years in the naval reserves. Fred lived briefly in California and B.C. Canada , and traveled to every state in the USA, meeting interesting people while exploring our country.
When an ampuation stopped him from running “bulldozers/backhoes: thirty years ago, he and his wife opened Pear Tree Creations ( a local retail shop) and he started running embroidery machines, creating logos and beauitful embrodiery for clients in the USA and abroad. He never quit.
Fred had an upbeat personaility. He was always smiling, quick to help others and loved to travel/explore. With a curious and mechanical mind, Fred enjoyed nature, sports and always stood ready with the Duct Tape to fix anything. We think a UFO was hovering over our home ready to carry him to his next adventure – to conquer outer space – which fasinated him. He was more than just a faithful and loving husband and awesome father who adored his children, he was a true friend to everyone. Fred lived life to the fullest and leaves behind precious memories – he will be greatly missed.
Besdies his parents , Fred was predeceased by his loving daughter, Dana Leigh Drift, his brothers Donald of TX and Raymond of PA. He is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Gwen “ Wendy” (Saums) Drift, his loving son Dwayne and his wife Lisa(Liscik), brothers John of Canada and Richard of FL, plus many cousins, neices,nephews and friends.
A memorial service will be held at 6:00pm on Tuesday, February 13th, in the Hillsborough Funeral Home, 796 Us Hwy 206, Hillsborough, NJ 08844. Visiting for relatives & friends will be the same day from 4:00 – 6:00 pm in the funeral home.
