BLAINE, Maine – Fred A. Tapley Jr., 76, passed away with his family at his side on October 28, 2018. He was born February 24, 1942 in Mars Hill, the son of Fred and Frances (Dunphy) Tapley.
Fred enjoyed racing cars in Caribou, Houlton, and Florenceville, New Brunswick when he was younger and watching others race as he grew older. This included watching his grandson, Tyler, race dirt bikes as a child. Fred was an avid fan of the New York Yankees and the Boston Celtics. He would constantly rib his son, Jason, whenever the Yankees were doing better than the Red Sox and when they would come out on top in head to head battles.
Fred attended Aroostook Central Institute (ACI). He then joined the Navy in 1961 to fulfill his childhood dream of becoming a sailor. He returned to the county after a few years to farm with his father and grandfather, Truman Tapley. Fred loved farming, but transitioned to construction work later in life.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Barbara (Delong) of Blaine; two children, Paula, of Mars Hill; Jason, and his wife Lauren Sanzone of Douglas, Alaska; two grandchildren, Tyler, of Mars Hill; Aidan, of Douglas, Alaska; three sisters, Diane Doody, of North Pole, Alaska; Vilroy Malagese, and her husband John of Clifton, New York; Susan Hartford, and her husband Rodney of Blaine; one brother, Michael, and his wife Mary of Blaine.
He was predeceased by his parents and brother, Gary.
Fred will be laid to rest with a graveside service at the Tapley Cemetery on Thursday, November 1, 2018 at 3 p.m. Online condolences may be expressed at www.duncan-graves.com.
