Frederick Burkley

Frederick Valentine Burkley, 80, of Annadale, a retired city firefighter and a doting grandfather, died Monday in the Staten Island University Hospital, in Ocean Breeze.

Born in Tottenville, the lifelong Islander settled in Annadale in 1955.

Mr. Burkley graduated from Tottenville High School. He received his bachelor's and master's degrees in chemistry from Wagner College, Grymes Hill, where he was a member of the German Club.

He served in the U.S. Navy from 1952 to 1956, stationed stateside in Norfolk, Va.

Mr. Burkley was a city firefighter and was assigned to several companies on the Island. He retired in 1972.

He was a member of the American Legion, the United Firefighters Association, South Shore AARP, and a member of the Wall Club with the South Shore Swim Club.

He enjoyed skiing, swimming, camping, bowling and spending time with his grandchildren.

He was a wonderful father and a beloved grandfather. He was crazy about his grandchildren. He was also a loving husband to his wife, said his daughter, Natalie Burkley-LoPrete.

Mr. Burkley was a member of St. Mark's Methodist Church, Pleasant Plains.

Along with his daughter, surviving are his wife of 54 years, the former Loretta Wright; his son, Eric, and two grandchildren.

The funeral service will be Thursday at 10 a.m. in the Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home, Tottenville. Burial will follow in Oceanview Cemetery, Oakwood.

Services: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home Thursday, March 7,2013 10:00AM

Visitation: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home Wednesday, March 6,2013 2-4 & 7-9PM

Cemetery: Ocean View Cemetery

Location: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home

Church: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home