Obituary for Frederic Sylvanus Bailey
Frederic Sylvanus Bailey, known to everyone as Fritz, age 86, passed away on April 9th, at his
home in Plymouth, MA with his wife Marcia of 63 years and his family by his side. Fritz was born
May 11, 1935, in Lyons, New York, the son of Frederic and Gertrude (Stockman) Bailey. He was
raised in Newark NY and attended Newark High School and graduated in 1953 as class president.
After high school, he attended Syracuse University and was a member of the Phi Delta Theta
Chapter, and graduated in 1958. In 1959 he married Marcia Joan Vanderbrook also of Newark and
they eventually moved to Needham, MA with their 4 children.
In 1978, Fritz moved his family to Plymouth, MA, where they settled into their forever home.
Fritz had an acclaimed and accomplished career for over 25 years at Ocean Spray Cooperative in
Plymouth and Middleborough. Ocean Spray would not be regarded as a premiere mixer of adult
beverages or the nationally known brand that it is today, if not for the smooth sales expertise
of Fritz. A consummate professional, Fritz was Ocean Spray’s emissary of everything good,
ambassador of goodwill, and the face of what everyone wanted to be.
Of the many things that Fritz enjoyed, he loved the game of golf. He was a long-time member
of the Plymouth Country Club where he shared special memories with all of his children
and grandchildren. In retirement, Fritz continued his maturation process acquiring complexity
and depth from a lifetime of experiences with family and friends. With a genuine welcoming
kindness, he made a lasting impact on everyone he met. To know Fritz was to love Fritz.
He was truly one of a kind, a legend, and sadly a dying breed. The world lost a good one
on April 9th. As Fritz’s family and friends know all too well, his name will live on not only
in our hearts, but as a verb. “To Fritz (verb) - To secretly slip your credit card to the waitstaff
or merchant in advance so as to pay the bill without your party’s knowledge or consent.”
If you are ever fortunate enough to be able to “Fritz” someone, please do it in his memory.
Fritz is survived by his wife Marcia, son Michael Bailey and his wife Karen of Northborough, MA,
daughter Kristen Madden and husband Russell of Tuftonboro, NH, son Steven Bailey and his
wife Teresa of Plymouth, MA and son Jon Bailey with his wife Sheryl of Woodland Hills, CA.
His grandchildren, Jeffrey and Erik Madden, Jocelyn, Wade and Charlotte Bailey, and Jacob
and Shaylyn Bailey. Beloved uncle to many, and preceded in death by his brother David Bailey,
sister Diane (Bailey) Thomson, and parents Fred and Gert Bailey all of Newark, NY.
Friends and family are welcome to calling hours at 10:00 am with funeral service immediately
following at Bartlett Funeral Home, 338 Court Street Plymouth MA, on Friday, April 15th.
home in Plymouth, MA with his wife Marcia of 63 years and his family by his side. Fritz was born
May 11, 1935, in Lyons, New York, the son of Frederic and Gertrude (Stockman) Bailey. He was
raised in Newark NY and attended Newark High School and graduated in 1953 as class president.
After high school, he attended Syracuse University and was a member of the Phi Delta Theta
Chapter, and graduated in 1958. In 1959 he married Marcia Joan Vanderbrook also of Newark and
they eventually moved to Needham, MA with their 4 children.
In 1978, Fritz moved his family to Plymouth, MA, where they settled into their forever home.
Fritz had an acclaimed and accomplished career for over 25 years at Ocean Spray Cooperative in
Plymouth and Middleborough. Ocean Spray would not be regarded as a premiere mixer of adult
beverages or the nationally known brand that it is today, if not for the smooth sales expertise
of Fritz. A consummate professional, Fritz was Ocean Spray’s emissary of everything good,
ambassador of goodwill, and the face of what everyone wanted to be.
Of the many things that Fritz enjoyed, he loved the game of golf. He was a long-time member
of the Plymouth Country Club where he shared special memories with all of his children
and grandchildren. In retirement, Fritz continued his maturation process acquiring complexity
and depth from a lifetime of experiences with family and friends. With a genuine welcoming
kindness, he made a lasting impact on everyone he met. To know Fritz was to love Fritz.
He was truly one of a kind, a legend, and sadly a dying breed. The world lost a good one
on April 9th. As Fritz’s family and friends know all too well, his name will live on not only
in our hearts, but as a verb. “To Fritz (verb) - To secretly slip your credit card to the waitstaff
or merchant in advance so as to pay the bill without your party’s knowledge or consent.”
If you are ever fortunate enough to be able to “Fritz” someone, please do it in his memory.
Fritz is survived by his wife Marcia, son Michael Bailey and his wife Karen of Northborough, MA,
daughter Kristen Madden and husband Russell of Tuftonboro, NH, son Steven Bailey and his
wife Teresa of Plymouth, MA and son Jon Bailey with his wife Sheryl of Woodland Hills, CA.
His grandchildren, Jeffrey and Erik Madden, Jocelyn, Wade and Charlotte Bailey, and Jacob
and Shaylyn Bailey. Beloved uncle to many, and preceded in death by his brother David Bailey,
sister Diane (Bailey) Thomson, and parents Fred and Gert Bailey all of Newark, NY.
Friends and family are welcome to calling hours at 10:00 am with funeral service immediately
following at Bartlett Funeral Home, 338 Court Street Plymouth MA, on Friday, April 15th.