Hawkey, Fred Charles

 

Fred Charles Hawkey, 57, of Newaygo, passed away on November 25, 2008, at Spectrum Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids after a two year battle against cancer.  He was born in Fremont, Michigan on December 16, 1950, the son of Ruth and Charles Hawkey, and moved to his home in Newaygo in 1974.                        

 

In earlier years, Fred was a licensed contractor and built many homes in the area as a gifted craftsman and carpenter.  He most recently was a realtor for Coldwell Banker Schmidt Realtors in Fremont, specializing in the sale of hunting and fishing properties, retiring in 2006 due to ill health.  One of his last accomplishments was to rebuild the cabin on the Little Manistee River near Peacock.  Fred and his friends and other members of his family have continued to enjoy the cabin, and it was there that Fred spent the most enjoyable times of his life.  As a great promoter of the conservation of Michigan woodlands and streams, Fred served as a member of the Little Manistee Watershed Council, and in earlier years was a member of the Brooks Township Planning Commission of Newaygo.

 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Ruth Hawkey of Fremont, and several aunts and uncles.  He is survived by his beloved dog, Jackie, his sister, Karen Gilbert, of Marshall, his niece, Amy (Michael) Mulkey, his nephew, Christian Gilbert, and two great-nephews, Tyler and Trever Mulkey, all of White Lake and Waterford, and many, many wonderful friends.

 

A reception to honor Fred’s memory will be held on Friday, December 5 at Brooks Township Hall from 1-4 PM, 490 Quarterline Road, Newaygo, MI 49337.  Friends and relatives are invited to share refreshments, company, and memories of good times.  According to his wishes, cremation has taken place.  Family and friends who wish to remember him will scatter his ashes at the family cabin in the early spring, when Fred’s thoughts always turned to trout fishing on the Little Manistee.

 

Arrangements are being handled by the Crandell Funeral Home in Fremont.  Memorials may be directed to the Little Manistee Watershed Association (LMWCC , P.O. Box 52, Irons, MI 49644), or to the Fremont Area Community Foundation (FACF, P.O. Box B, Fremont, Michigan 49412).   Friends may share memories and condolences for Fred at www.crandellfh.com.

 

 

 

Click here to send a condolence for the Fred Hawkey Family on-line

 

                                                                                                                                            

My deepest sympathy to all. Fred was a dear friend  and I always enjoyed his company and his great sense of humor. There are so many good memories I have of him and I'm so sorry that I didn't live near him in his time of need.  Thank God for friends like Dan Parks who were there.Dan called and told me of Fred's passing and said that Fred used the cane I made for him until the end. I wish I could have done more. I knew Fred for over 25 years and he will be missed greatly by myself ,my wife and my son.
With my most heart felt sympathies,
Rick Jaworowski

Posted 11/29/2008

                                                                                                                                            

Dear Family and Friends of Fred,
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. 
Sincerely,
Jane Thompson

Posted 12/1/2008

                                                                                                                                        

I have known Fred for about 15 years when he joined Coldwell Banker Schmidt Realtors, and have been his broker for the past 7 years.  Mostly, though, Fred & I were friends.  Although our office moved to many different locations during those years, Fred & I always ended up with our desks next to each other.   I have missed having my office buddies, Fred and Jackie, during the time that Fred was sick.  Fred was a good businessman and friend.   I miss him.

 

Jean Palmerton

Associate Broker

Coldwell Banker Schmidt Realtors

Posted 12/1/2008

                                                                                                                                        

 Karen , Amy, Chris and family,
    You have our sincerest sympathy on Fred's passing.  Although we didn't know him personally he reminded me of my dad with his love of fishing, hunting and the land.  His love and conservation of nature and the great outdoors is to be admired.  May the love of your family and friends bring you comfort and the love of God bring you peace at this time.  We will not be able to make it to Newaygo on Friday, but I am with you in spirit.  Jan and Bob Crandall

Posted 12/1/2008

                                                                                                                                          

My thoughts and prayers go to the family of Fred Hawkey. I have dealt on a few properties with Fred over the past few years and he always made me feel more like a friend than a colleague. I always looked for an opportunity to show one of his properties and enjoyed the chats we had. He will be missed. Randy Ostrander
 

Posted 12/1/2008

                                                                                                                                          

To Fred's family & friends,
 
Fred was an asset to the Realtor family. He was involved in helping property owners and bettering the community, and was a great guy. Our thoughts and prayers are with him.
 
Sincerely, 
Scott Kroepel 
 

Posted 12/1/2008

                                                                                                                                        

My prayers have been with Fred the past 2 years.  He will be missed.  Rilee Thompson-Masters

Posted 12/2/2008

                                                                                                                                        

Dear friends: Fred, Dave Dunning and myself used to spend a lot of time at the cabin . I remember in the winter being able to see the outdoors though the gaps between the siding. The woodstove did manage to keep us warm. This was shortly after I got out of Viet Nam and helped greatly in readjusting to normal life. The fishing, friendships, and relaxation were like heaven on earth. Time is fleeting however and we grow older and our life paths diverge. I will always remember my time with Fred. He was kind, sharing, always ready with a laugh, a dog lover( Brittanies) a craftsman, and a lover of the outdoors. I will miss him!  Al Nieboer

Posted 12/3/2008

                                                                                                                                        

Karen and family,

All of our prayers have been answered and Fred’s suffering has come to an end.  He surely fought the good fight and will be remembered by many.  My sympathy and prayers continue to be with you and your family.

 

Love,

Judy (Stratton) Nadeau-Zerr

Posted 12/3/2008

                                                                                                                                        

To Fred’s Family,

 

I have know Fred since I was a kid, he helped build the first house my husband and I built together.  It was on the Muskegon River and we remodeled an old log home.  Fred was the right person for the job as we wanted to salvage the character of the fieldstone fireplace and log interior.  Fred saw our vision and helped make it a new home with old charm.  Several years later we both became Realtors and had the chance to see one another at Realtor events.  It was always nice to see a familiar face and visit about real estate with someone I knew as a friend as well.  Bless Fred as he travels to a better place.  May his family and loved one’s be sustained with god’s love.

 

Regards,

 

Laura Veersma-Realtor

Big Rapids Realty

Posted 12/3/2008

                                                                                                                                        

Family and friends of Fred Hawkey,

Fred helped me purchase several  hunting/fishing properties. He was the ultimate professional in each of those dealings. I considered him a good friend and was able to fish with him a couple of times on the Muskegon River. He will be greatly missed.

Jim Bos

Posted 12/4/2008

                                                                                                                                        

Fred was one of the kindest, most genuine persons I will ever have had the great privilege of knowing in my life.  He had so many special gifts.  The greatest being a "true friend".  I'll never forget his attempt at teaching me how to fly fish.  He had the patience of Job!  Sadly, he will be missed, but my memories of Fred will always be happy ones.  My heart-felt sympathies go out to all of his good friends and family.
 
Faith (Deur) Todd

Posted 12/5/2008

                                                                                                                                        

I knew Fred only for the last few years, but I always enjoyed talking with him. I’ll miss seeing him and Jackie at the cottage on the Little Manistee. I always loved that he was very encouraging to my son, as Will learned how to fish for trout. Fred was also a great advocate for the river, and I appreciate his efforts with the watershed group. My condolences to his other friends and family. I couldn’t make the memorial gathering earlier this month, but would like to be notified of the spring gathering, if you don’t mind.

 

Jerry Morlock

Posted 12/22/2008