Frederick J. Bridge

YORK – Frederick J. Bridge, 77, died Thursday, August 1, 2013 after a brief but fierce battle with cancer. He was the husband of Marilyn J. (Dodge) Bridge to whom he was married for 51 years. A celebration of life for friends and family will be held Monday, August 5, 2013, from 4:00-7:00 PM at the Emigsville Fire Hall, 3118 N. George St, Emigsville, PA 17318. Heffner Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc., 1551 Kenneth Road, York is in charge of arrangements. Born January 3, 1936 in Latrobe, PA a son of the late John L. and Esther H. (Glick) Bridge, he was a graduate of Latrobe High School and then from Penn State University where he received a BA degree in Labor-Management Relations. Upon graduation, he served in the US Army rising to the rank of Specialist 5 with the Cadre of the Provost Marshal General’s School at Fort Gordon, GA. Upon discharge from the service, he joined Aetna Life Ins. Co. in the Systems Planning Dept. where he received his background training in computers and systems technology. He was Systems Manager for Motor Freight Express in York; Systems Designer for Cole Steel Equip. Co. in York; Director of Computer Services for Schick Electric Co. in Lancaster; and Vice President of Purchasing and Administration for Svedala Industries (formerly Koppers and MPSI), retiring from the latter in 1998 after 23 years. Mr. Bridge was an outdoor enthusiast and well known fly tier and fly fisherman, having many fly fishing friends and associates in the US and internationally. He fished in 19 states plus Canada and New Zealand, was an active supporter of Trout Unlimited, and gave fly fishing slide shows to many clubs and organizations. He was a founding member and supporter of the GOTC, an international internet fly fishing group (Flyanglers.org) from which he received the 2005 Leon Chandler Fly Fishing Ambassador award. In his younger years he tied 200-300 dozen flies per year semi-professionally. He was an avid woodworker primarily using a scroll saw, making hundreds of craft pieces which he gave to friends, family, and various charitable organizations as fundraisers. His wooden fly boxes and hand-crafted landing nets are prized pieces by the dozens of people having them. In addition to his wife, Mr. Bridge is survived by a son, Eric A. Bridge and wife Melissa of Ashburn, VA and their children, Scott, Garrett, and Kate; son, Ryan A. Bridge of Mt. Wolf and his children, Alyssa, Isaak, and Owen; a brother, William D. Bridge of San Diego, CA; a sister, Beatrice A. Mowry of Latrobe; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a son, Adam Bridge; and brothers J. Robert and Richard H. Bridge. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to do something in honor or remembrance of Mr. Bridge may make financial donations to York County Chapters of Trout Unlimited at www.muddycreektu.org or www.codorustu.org; or to Manchester Twp., Station 24 Fire Police, 3200 Farm Trail Rd., York, PA 17406.