Frederick Mantey

Frederick John Mantey passed away peacefully at his home in South Milwaukee on October 24, 2021 at the age of 83, after being diagnosed with mesothelioma in January, 2020. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Rachel (nee Adams); children: Alan (Judith), Allison (Andrew) Martinez, and David (Karie); eight grandchildren: Karen Baumann, Phillip Martinez, Karisa (Joe) Stiglitz, Diana Mantey, Cynthia (Brent) Young, Robert Mantey, Elizabeth Mantey, and Norah Mantey; two great-grandchildren: Colette Baumann and Berkley Young; siblings: William (Caryl) Mantey, Clayton Mantey, and Mary (Terry) Pyle; and his sister-in-law Mary Ann Adams. Fritz (as he was known to his friends and family) was born on June 8, 1938 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was the first child of Gertrude (nee Smith) and Roy Mantey. Fritz grew up in South Milwaukee and graduated from South Milwaukee High School in 1956. In the late 1940's Fritz went to Glacier National Park with his family. After many visits as a child, he grew to love the West and enjoyed camping and hiking. Glacier National Park became his favorite vacation spot with his children and grandchildren. It is believed that he visited the park at least 45 times during his lifetime. In 2008, when he was 70 years old, he was still able to hike to Ptarmigan Tunnel which is an 11-mile hike with a 2300-foot climb in elevation. Fritz served in the US Coast Guard from 1956 – 1960 as a "Damage Control Man". He was stationed aboard the USCG Ship Mackinaw which was homeported in Cheboygan, MI and aboard the USCG Ship Iris which was homeported in Galveston, TX. From 1960 – 1962 he was employed as a laborer and production control supervisor by Ladish Company in Cudahy, WI. In 1962, he began a 34-year career at Bucyrus-Erie in South Milwaukee, WI. While at Bucyrus-Erie, Fritz worked as a laborer, apprentice electrician, journeyman electrician, electrical engineer, industrial engineer, and manufacturing engineer. Upon his retirement from Bucyrus-Erie in 1996, Fritz continued to work as an electrician and handyman until 2020. He was mechanically inclined and could fix just about anything. He also loved woodworking and made many high-quality pieces of furniture for his family and clients. Over the past 5 years, he spent much of his free time making model steam engines. A Graveside service will be held Saturday, November 6, 2021 at the First Congregational Church Cemetery, 1111 North Chicago Avenue, South Milwaukee at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to The Glacier National Park Conservancy (https://glacier.org/ways-to-give/) or The Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America.