Frederick E. Malcolm, 93, died Dec. 22. He was instrumental in founding the Ward Hill Industrial Park and served as the second president of the Greater Haverhill Foundation, developer, for more than 20 years.
The foundation was created by special legislation in 1964. In a 2012 interview at WHAV, Malcolm explained his introduction to the organization.
“We actually had two campaigns in the beginning. People asked where this money (to build the industrial park) came from. As a matter of fact, I had one of the bankers of Haverhill who found me ice fishing one time up in Winnipesaukee and, he said, ‘Fred, you know what we’re doing. We’re going to start selling shares in the foundation. We’d like to find 25 people who would like to give $500 a piece. That will get us started.'”
“We kept the funds, invested them, reinvested them and invested them on people building things,” he said.
The foundation received a new lease on life earlier this year when the legislature granted it a charter extension. It is now part of the development group responsible for building Harbor Place on Merrimack Street.
Later in life, Malcolm was head of the committee that brought Haverhill the national “All America City” designation.
He had been married for more than 58 years to the late Marilyn Flanders (Woodman) Malcolm. Malcolm counted among his friends the late Bernard J. “Barney” Gallagher and both were members of what was called “the Illustrious Class of 1939” at Haverhill High School.
Malcolm served his country during World War II where he was a marine infantry officer. He often talked about his time in the service, and recounted many great experiences while stationed on the island of Guam. So significant was this experience that in 1994, some 50 years later, he returned to visit the island with his wife. He established the Frederick E. Malcolm Insurance Agency in Haverhill following his Marine discharge in 1946.
Music was important to Fred, and from 1939 to 1941 he enjoyed playing in the 12-piece Blue Harmonian Band. He had a passion for his summer home in Wolfeboro, N.H. which he shared with parents, family and numerous friends.
He retired in 1989 from full-time participation in the insurance agency, but continued on a part-time basis until recently.
Malcolm was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church, and he found great solace in Bible verse Ecclesiastes3:1, “To everything there is a season.”
He is survived by his three children: Janice Malcolm, Frederick E. Malcolm Jr., Susan Foley, seven grandchildren; David John LaCarubba, Sallie Malcolm Mugavero, Joanne Malcolm Beaulieu, Alison Foley, Thomas Foley, Kathryn Noyes Robinson and Brian Robinson. He also leaves six great grandchildren; George Beaulieu, Anthony Mugavero, Eric Mugavero, Alexis LaCarubba and Keira LaCarubba. He was predeceased by his daughter, Judith (LaCarubba) Robinson.
A memorial service took place Friday, Dec. 26, at 11:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church. At the family’s request there was no calling hours and interment at Linwood Cemetery was private. Memorial donations in his memory may be made to the Malcolm-Flanders-Woodman Endowment Fund, c/o First Baptist Church, 217 Main Street, Haverhill, MA 01830.