Frederick Birkby

Frederick Birkby, 94, of Westlake, Ohio, and formerly of Redford Township, Michigan, passed away Monday, June 4, 2012, at Hospice of the Western Reserve at the Renaissance in Olmsted Township, Ohio. He was born January 14, 1918, in Belfast, Northern Ireland . Mr. Birkby came to the United States when he was seven years old. He graduated from Detroit's Mackenzie High School in 1936. After completing an apprenticeship at the Ford Motor Company Training School in 1940, he was employed as a metal pattern maker by the Ford Motor Company at the Rouge Plant, Dearborn, Michigan, for more than 40 years before retiring. His only break was when he served in the U.S. Army, stationed in Korea shortly after the conclusion of World War II. Mr. Birkby married Mary Frances Best in November 1951 and lived in Redford Township until 1979, when he moved first to Northville, Michigan, and then, in 2004, to Avon, Ohio. He was a sports fan and avid follower of the Detroit Lions, Detroit Tigers and the University of Michigan. He also played on a senior citizens softball league in the Detroit area throughout the 1980s. His other interests included swimming, ice skating, and woodworking. Frederick is survived by his children Stuart J. Birkby (Donna) of Avon Lake, Lisa M. Birkby of Fenton, MI and Jason F. Birkby (Elizabeth) of Waterford, CT and granddaughter Cara. He is preceded in death by his wife Mary, half-brothers Jim, Bob, and Jack Campbell and half-sister Isabel Campbell, and his mother, Mary Ellen Birkby. Friends may call at the R.G. and G.R. Harris Funeral Home, 15451 Farmington Road, Livonia, MI 48154 on Wednesday, June 6 from 6-8 PM. Funeral Services will be held at the funeral home Thursday, June 7, at 11:00 am. Reverend Michelle Werner of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Livonia, will officiate. Interment will follow at Parkview Memorial Cemetery, Livonia. Memorials may be forwarded to the Animal Protective League, 1001 Taintor Road, Springfield, IL 62702. Share a memory of Fred by signing his guestbook. Funeral Home: R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Home and Cremation Services 15451 Farmington Rd. Livonia, MI US 48154