Obituary of Frederick G. Searby, Jr.

Frederick G. Searby, Jr. (Millsboro, DE) passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at Beebe Healthcare Hospital in Lewes, Delaware. Mr. Searby graduated from Freehold Regional High School in 1957 and after graduation he served in the United States Marine Corps from 1957-1963. Upon his discharge, Fred worked for Carter-Wallace for 37 years as a laboratory supervisor in the Carter Products Research and Development department based in Cranbury, NJ. When Fred wasn’t working or at the Firehouse, he was happily tending to his vegetable garden. Fred had many joys in his life but none greater than being out on the water with his family and teaching his grandchildren how to work a crab line, bait a trap, and reel in the “big one”. Mr. Searby was a Charter Member of East Freehold Fire Company. He proudly served as Fire Chief in 1969. Fred held the position of Fire Commissioner for Freehold Township Fire District #2 from 1974-1996 and starting in 1981, held the position of instructor at the Monmouth County Fire Academy, where after some time he served as the Assistant Director. Mr. Searby also served as the Freehold Township Firemen’s Association Secretary from 1976-1992. Fred was a Life Member of the Monmouth County Firemen’s Association. He was also a Member of the New Jersey State Fire Chiefs Association and New Jersey Society of Fire Service Instructors. He was a representative of the Monmouth County Firemen’s Advisory Council. Fred was known to his colleagues in the fire service as a top instructor who impacted the lives of hundreds of trainees and experienced firefighters throughout his career. From Firefighter I to Confined Space training, if you knew Fred at the Fire Academy, then you knew about the “BRT”. Mr. Searby was preceded by his parents, Frances Emma and Frederick Searby, Sr.; his infant daughter, Christine Maria Searby; loving wife, Diane C. Searby, and daughter-in-law, Renee Searby. Fred is survived by his son, Christopher F. Searby; daughter and son-in-law, Lauren A. and George A. Burdge, III; stepsons, James S. Tumulty and wife Donna; Shawn M. Tumulty and wife, Justine; step-daughter-in-law, Cynthia Tumulty-Ollemar. Grandchildren, Frederick A. Searby, Gina L. Kerbow and husband Beau, Alton L. Searby, Jake C. Curcio and George A. Burdge, IV, Sherry Dianne Leady and husband Steve. Step-grandchildren, Amanda Tumulty, Ryan Tumulty, Amanda Clifton, and husband Connor, Sara Tumulty-Ollemar, Caroline Tumulty-Ollemar and Hannah Ollemar; and three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his loving sister Colleen Hoitela and husband Carl along with his long-time furry companion Molly. The viewing will be held at the Higgins Memorial Home, 20 Center Street, Freehold on Wednesday, March 15, from 4 to 8 p.m. Fire Company services will be held at 6:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Rose of Lima Church, Freehold on Thursday, March 16 at 10:30 a.m. followed by interment at the parish cemetery. Memorial donation to the East Freehold Fire Company would be appreciated.