Frederick James Mundy, Jr. known as Rick to all his friends passed away quietly at his vacation home in Enfield, NC with his friends and pets. Rick, a lifelong Staten Island resident, had his full-time home at the Fountains on Clove Road and was well known in many circles on the Island.
Rick was instrumental in the cleanup of the long abandoned and uncared for Fountain Cemetery on Staten Island and was a founder of “Friends of Abandoned Cemeteries.” He can be credited with its being taken on as a project by the Parks Department. This is just a small sample of Rick’s caring nature and willingness to help everyone and everything in need.
Rick was born on May 14, 1943 and left us on Monday, May 10, 2021 just shy of his 78th birthday. A graduate of Port Richmond High School in Staten Island and Richmond College with a degree in Economics, Rick was called for service during the Vietnam era and was very proud to have been in the US Army. He had his military training at Fort Eustice and left for Vietnam in 1966 and came home in 1968 to Fort Lee, VA. Having been overseas during a tumultuous time in Vietnam, he often said he appreciated his freedom at home. Rick was retired from the NY State Department of Labor, where he was a veteran’s occupational counselor. He previously was a teacher at Willowbrook State School, Staten Island. His accolades include being Vice Commander of the AMVETS Post 103 and a member of the Private Joseph Merrill American Legion Post 1368. He was a proud supporter of our veterans.
Rick loved to travel and made numerous trips to the Netherlands where he gained lifelong friends who often came to visit him in New York. He travelled to Australia and spoke of his adventures there often with the Rugby Club he joined. He was indeed a world traveler and loved Italy where he stayed with the Contessa’s and, of course, Ireland the home of his mother’s ancestral family. He attended the 50th anniversary of the WWII landing at Normandy in France and visited all the landmarks there. He was also a member of the infamous FSSG Football Club which played football for over 25 years on the Island. A lover of all music, especially of the 60’s, Rick went to the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Music Festival and frequented Tramps Blues Club in Gramercy Park, NYC. Recently he visited Asheville, NC and Beaufort, NC and loved his trips around Hatteras fishing with his SI friends and brought home the freshest tuna ever. Rick made Enfield, NC his second home and loved the country life. He made many friends in Enfield just as he did wherever he went.
Always the scholar, Rick regaled everyone with historical facts and had an unsurpassed diverse knowledge base. He was extremely well read and could easily extract information without use of Wikipedia! He was articulate, witty and above all charming. He loved politics and keeping up with current issues and was a great debater.
Rick will be sorely missed by all his friends as he was a big part of their lives and gave freely of his energy, expertise and love and kindness and, importantly, his time.
There will be two memorial services. The first will be held Thursday, May 13th at 6:00 PM at Rick’s home, 613 Glenview Road in Enfield, NC. The second will be held Sunday, May 16th from 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM at Harmon Funeral Home, 571 Forest Avenue, Staten Island, NY. Memorial gifts may be sent to AMVETS, Post 103, PO Box 41062, Staten Island, NY 10304 and to Enfield Baptist Church, 200 West Burnette Ave., Enfield, NC 27823.
Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service – Letchworth Chapel in Scotland Neck is handling arrangements for the Mundy family.