[Manchester, Vt.] Frederick Selim Shehadi, Jr. passed away peacefully on Friday, May 17 at his home here.
Born in Newark, N.J. on September 26, 1932, Shehadi was the eldest child of Marie Merighi and Frederick S. Shehadi, Sr. and older brother to sisters Barbara and Gail. Raised in Maplewood, N.J., Fred attended Columbia High School and graduated from Bucknell University in 1954.
Shehadi met his wife Carol Francis Dunn at the Jersey shore in 1954. Their marriage of more than 62 years of marriage resulted in five children and 15 grandchildren.
After graduating from Bucknell Shehadi joined B. Shehadi & Sons in East Orange, N.J., an Oriental rug and carpet business started by his grandfather in 1900. Shehadi believed in the concept of “Added Value,” through reinforcing his five cherished fundamentals: Preparation, Presentation, Execution, Follow Up and Follow Through. Shehadi was also a founding member of COMSPEC, the national association for commercial flooring contractors. The Shehadi Company is still in business today.
Shehadi is survived by his children: Fred Shehadi III, Pawlet, Vt.; David Shehadi and wife Becky, Dorset, Vt..; Karen Shehadi Frost and husband Mike, Charlotte, Vt.; John Shehadi Sr. and wife Michelle, Chatham, N.J..; and Lauren Shehadi Herbert and husband Bob, Dorset, Vt. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Kendall and Colin Frost; Sarah, Nina, David Jr., and Joseph Shehadi; Quinn, Drew, Hannah and Carol Herbert; Julia, John Jr., Olivia and William Shehadi; and Marina Ihasz. Shehadi is also survived by his sister, Barbara Shehadi Kitson, and many nieces and nephews whom he loved very much. He was predeceased by his wife Carol, his sister Gail Shehadi Cross, and brothers-in-law Bob Cross and Syd Kitson.
Visiting hours will be held June 7 at Brewster’s Funeral Home, 34 Park St. Manchester Center, Vt. 05255 from 4-7pm. A celebratory Mass will be held June 8 at 11:30 am at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church, 23 Bulkley Ave. Granville, N.Y. 12832. Reception to follow at the Shehadi home: 1021 Rupert Hill Rd., Pawlet, Vt. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Marie M. and Fred S. Shehadi Sr. Scholarship Fund. Bucknell Office of Annual Giving at Cooley Hall, 82 University Ave., Lewisburg, Pa. 17837.