Obituary of Frederick Joseph Nesius

Frederick Joseph Nesius was born April 7, 1923 in Utica, New York. He died peacefully July 11, 2015, with his family nearby at home in Palm Bay, Florida. He was 92-years-old. At the time of his passing, Fred was a husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend to many. He proudly served his country for 26 years, starting in the U.S. Navy during WWII, enlisting in December 1940 with his mother+óGé¼Gäós permission when he was 17. He sailed aboard the destroyer USS Roper in the Atlantic-European-Africa theaters, and aboard the USS Acontius and USS Capacon in the Pacific-Asiatic theaters. He was honorably discharged in April 1946 with the rank of Chief Petty Officer. He attended Mohawk College in Utica, N.Y., studying business administration for one year before re-enlisting as a private in the USMC, serving an additional 20 years with postings at Headquarters USMC in Washington, D.C.; USMC Recruiting Station in Long Island, N.Y.; Camp Lejeune, N.C.; Marine Barracks Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; and Marine Corps Schools in Quantico, Va., retiring as a Master Gunnery Sergeant in 1967. He met and married Dorothy Milstead in Washington D.C in 1948, his loving wife of 67 years. Following his military service, he moved with his family to Palm Bay, Fla., working at Harris Corporation in the Property and Materials Department for 16 years until he retired in 1983. Fred truly saw the world when he was in the Navy. For the rest of his life, he continued to travel, never again at sea, but always ready for a good road-trip. He was an avid bowler, and a life-long fan of baseball. Golf was a passion, joining the Port Malabar Country Club and a member of the Hole-in-One Club at Patrick AFB. He was a faithful member of St. Joseph+óGé¼Gäós Catholic Church and an usher at Mass for 25 years. Our family can never thank enough, the CNAs, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, doctors and caseworkers over the past year for their care. Especially his primary care doctor and those at Palm Bay Hospital, Life Care Center of Palm Bay and Vitas Hospice. You+óGé¼Gäóve touched all of our lives with your concern and kindness. Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Nesius; daughter Joan Nesius, son Douglas Nesius and his wife Shirley; son Steven Nesius and his wife Janet; sister Rosemary Methe; grandchildren Matthew Nesius and his wife Stephanie, Andrew Nesius, Mike Nesius, Sean Nesius and Alec Nesius; and great-grandson Zachary Nesius.Viewing will be Thursday, July 16, 2015 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1425 Miller Street NE, Palm Bay. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at the church on Friday, July 17, 2015 at 10:00 AM. Interment with Marine Corps honors will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.In lieu of flowers, donations can be made toVitas Hospice Charitable Fund, 4450 West Eau Gallie Boulevard, Suite 280, Melbourne, FL 32934.