Frederick C Oschell

Fred passed away peacefully with his three girls at his side early Monday morning. Frederick was born in September of 1956 to Herman and Dorothy Oschell (nee Oberholzer) and was affectionately known as Ricky to his family all of his life. Fred grew up with his four brothers and one sister in the Claremont section of Hainesport where he spent his childhood playing ball, riding bikes and on one occasion being chased by a bull. Ricky served as an altar boy at Our Lady Queen of Peace parish where his family was actively involved for many years and helped out at Joe’s Deli where he had his first job at the age of 12 delivering groceries to neighbors sometimes even by driving the delivery car himself. No doubt these early life experiences helped to form his values of love of faith, family, community and his strong work ethic with a little bit of mischief thrown in by which he lived his life of 68 years. A 1974 graduate of Rancocas Valley Regional High School where his last name was infamous by the time he arrived having been preceded by his four older siblings whose antics were unfortunately well known by most teachers including his father a well respected educator, coach and administrator who was often feared for his stature alone. It was at RV where Fred met his sweetheart Brenda (née Phoebus) and what started as a reluctant friendship, she thought he was a little arrogant and was not impressed by his popularity status, eventually grew into a once in a lifetime love after graduation. Brenda and Freddy were not quite the popular steadies nor the king and queen of the prom they would however drive around town with the car top down and the radio on and were married in 1977. Fred and Brenda built a life together in Mount Holly and were blessed to have their three girls, Kathleen Ann, Emily Veronica and Mary Allison. The girls attended Sacred Heart School following in the footsteps of their father and his brothers and sister. Sacred Heart became a second family where they were all a part of school and parish activities. Fred was a consistent presence and could be found lectoring in his well known deep soothing voice at 11:30 am mass, acting as auctioneer or preforming skits at various PTO fundraisers as well as coaching Mary and her teammates on the CYO softball fields. Fred and Brenda chaired many legendary Beef & Beers together for the school and went on to serve as Co-Presidents of the PTA where they made many life long friends who became family. A true renaissance man, Fred worked as many things and held various positions. Working in sales, property maintenance and management as well as warehouse work and odd handyman type jobs - putting to use the carpentry skills his father in law, “Mikey”, taught him over the years while they worked on restoring his historic downtown home. No stranger to hard work, Fred often held two or more jobs to provide for his family and allow Brenda to care for their family and volunteer in the community. It was while working one of these odd jobs hanging wallpaper at Lee Funeral Home that he found his calling as a funeral director. In 1998 Fred graduated Mercer County Community College with Degrees in Mortuary Sciences and Business Administration. A surprise to no one, least of all Brenda, Fred enjoyed campus life and was elected President of Sigma Phi Sigma - ΣΦΣ funeral service fraternity all while working his apprenticeship for Givnish Funeral Homes. Known for his quick wit and sense of humor some friends joked that he put the “fun” in funeral yet he had a a truly gentle way of making families feel at ease during their most difficult times. Fred was able to connect with his personal and professional nature and had an innate ability that allowed him to alter his approach to fit everyone’s needs. It takes a special person to work in his chosen field and he fit the bill. His entire family took pride in knowing he helped so many people over the years throughout our community. There were several local civic and religious organizations who counted Fred among their members including Knight’s of Columbus Santa Maria Council, Mount Holly Lions Club, Maple Shade Rotary, Mount Holly Free & Accepted Masons Lodge # 14, and Mount Holly BPOE #848 where he served as Exalted Ruler and helped with the Special Children’s Committee which was so close to his heart. Together Fred and Brenda shared nearly 24 years of marriage before Brenda passed in 2001. He courageously held his girls lives together as their world was shattered by losing their mom and the love of his life entirely too soon at the age of just 44. Fred continued his work and actively served his community sharing trips to Wildwood with his brother Elks, enjoying “chillers” into the wee small hours of the morning yet miraculously rising before the sun in time to pick up donuts and make coffee. During this time in his life Fred and his brothers also resurrected the yearly fishing trips they had taken with their father; changing the location from Cape Hatteras to Upstate New York and the sought after fish from Blues to Atlantic Salmon. He found a way to see his girls through high school and college rarely if ever missing an academic or sporting event and found a way to smile though his heart was breaking. In 2005 Fred suffered a life altering stroke that ended his professional career and his doctors were quite certain would take his life and at very least his ability to walk and talk. God had other plans and nobody knew Fred’s determination and will better than his girls. Surrounded by his family our communities came together and prayed with so much belief that not only did he survive, he thrived. After months of in patient rehabilitation, doctors stepped in to urge Kate, Em, and Mary to consider alternative care but they remained undaunted by the challenges of this new life. Fred came home, he learned to walk and talk again and eventually live his own life with new daily routines. Fred enjoyed watching sports. A lifelong Green Bay Packers fan since the Bart Starr era he loved a Lambeau Leap! More than anything he loved baseball. He was a proud Phillies fan and never missed a game. His collection of Phillies T-shirts were in constant rotation including his prized Flyin Hawaiian Shane Victorino shirt that had to be replaced because he wore out the first one. His love for movies and rewatching his favorites over and over brought him hours of entertainment. He could never pass up watching Shawshank Redemption, My Cousin Vinny, Forrest Gump, Tommy Boy or any mafia movies from Casino to Goodfellas and of course The Godfather I & II, however III was rarely worth his time. Fred leaves behind a family well loved including his ever devoted daughters who he lived to walk down the aisle to be married; Katie & Bill Jack, Emily Oschell, and Mary & Michael Kneble. His grandchildren Phoebe and Liam Jack will forever keep his memory alive with stories of a pantry stocked with favorite snacks, a DVR filled with movies and tv shows, endless amounts of “inappropriate” toys like nerf guns and golf clubs not to mention countless paper towel rolls to craft with to their heart’s content. His life will be celebrated and toasted forever by his brothers and sisters in law, Fran & Patty Oschell, Greg Oschell and Gerry & Margaret Oschell as well as Bill & Pam Hall and his many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and cousins. Our family takes comfort in knowing that Fred was welcomed to eternal life by his wife Brenda, parents Herm & Dot Oschell and David & Pearl Phoebus as well as his brother Herk Oschell and sister Tina Oschell and so many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Fred truly loved his work and after his retirement remarked, almost daily, how much he missed helping people. With that in mind in lieu of flowers, the family asks that you do something nice for someone else, unexpectedly and without explanation. Relatives and Friends may visit with the family on Monday evening from 6-8pm at the Perinchief Chapels, 438 High St., Mount Holly. Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated on Tuesday at 10:30 am at Sacred Heart Church, 260 High St., Mount Holly. Burial will be private.

Frederick C Oschell

September 29, 1956 - December 2, 2024