Frederick Ismay, 88

Frederick A. “Fred” Ismay, 88, of Raleigh, N.C., passed away May 17, 2012, at Universal Health Care.

He was born in Lansing, Mich., to the late Max Cleveland Ismay and Pauline Van VanAmburg Ismay. Mr. Ismay was a veteran of the Army Air Corp, where he served as a Flying Tiger upon his high school graduation in June 1942 through his honorable discharge in 1945.

After leaving the military, he worked for the State of Michigan as a surveyor and later expressed his entrepreneurial spirit owning/operating service stations in Dowagiac and Buchannan as well as a bar/restaurant in Cassopolis.

Being an outdoorsman, he loved to hunt and fish. His true passion was supporting youth athletics, both through funding as well as being a faithful fan particularly to kids who lacked a fatherly figure. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He will be greatly missed by everyone that knew him.

Mr. Ismay is survived by his wife of 63 years, Marie Long Ismay; children, Michael Stephen Ismay of Raleigh, Jeffrey Dean Ismay of Bedford, Ind., and Gregory Lee Ismay and wife Maria of Raleigh; grandchildren, August Frederick Ismay and Natalie Lucia-Marie Ismay both of Raleigh, Ryan Ismay of Jones and Amy Johnson of Three Rivers; great-grandchildren, Emily Ismay and Jaden and Jordan Johnson; nieces and nephews, Gartha Zemer Angus and husband David, Max Zemer, Freddie Partlow and Bruce Howe, all of Michigan.

He was preceded in death by his sisters, Helen Zemer and Maxine Howe.

Services will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, May 25, at Hope Lutheran Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Fred Ismay Youth Athletic Fund.

Friends may visit with the family following the service in the church fellowship hall.