Fred Sigillo

The Sigillo family is sad to announce the passing of its beloved patriarch, Fred Sigillo, on September 16, 2012, who passed peacefully in the arms of his wife and children at Merrimack Valley Hospice House in Haverhill, MA. He most recently lived in Methuen, MA, after living most of his adult life in Lawrence, MA. Mr. Sigillo was born in Lawrence on August 19, 1927, and moved to Belgium at the age of 3. When World War II broke out in Europe, Fred served in the Belgian Resistance, delivering messages to the allies on his bicycle. He was jailed by the Gestapo at age 15, and spent 3 months in a German concentration camp. Prior to returning to the US at age 19, he started his training and apprenticeship in the field of barbering, having been taught by his mother in Belgium. After returning to the US he was employed as a barber for 4 years, until he opened his own shop on South Union Street, fondly named ?Fred?s Barber Shop,? around 1950. In fact, Fred was cutting hair at his shop up until April of 2012. His shop remains open today, as his daughter Patricia has followed in her father?s footsteps. While opening his shop in 1950, Mr. Sigillo also enlisted in the National Guard, and was eventually promoted to rank of sergeant; in this capacity Mr. Sigillo performed weapon training, in pistol, rifle, and mortar, while at the same time forming friendships that would last a lifetime. He was honorably discharged from the National Guard, Company B, 182nd Infantry on June 22, 1955, with sergeant E5 classification. With Fred?s diverse background it is no wonder he enjoyed traveling with his family the most. He traveled many times back to Belgium with his wife and children to visit his many friends and relatives from his teenage years. He continued to keep in contact with his European friends and family (even learning to use Skype and Facebook as a senior citizen!), and with their children as well, most still in Flanders, the Flemish speaking area of Belgium. Fred?s children remember fondly the many places he and their mom took them in the 60s and 70s, some of which include Paris, Brussels, Niagara Falls, Shenandoah National Park, Michigan?s Mackinaw Island, and so many more. Fred?s hobbies were varied. He was a self-taught carpenter who carved decorative wood pieces as a young man, and later in life helped his son David on many of his home restoration projects. He also helped his son Eric on many projects, most recently building landscape benches for his garden. One of the most precious gifts he gave his daughter was the knowledge of his barbering skills; Patricia was fortunate to be able to work side by side with her dad for over 25 years. Fred was a very social man, active in several clubs in the area, from the Belgian Club years ago to the British Club and Ward 6. Fred was a very humble man with a very strong work ethic. He opened his shop in 1950, and with his very warm, genuine personality, gained many friendships through the decades. Fred looked past all religion, race, or social economic situations to serve the public. He will always be in our hearts and will surely be missed by his family and friends around the world. Mr. Sigillo was the son of Leona Colpaert (Sigillo), who was born in Belgium, and Fortunado Sigillo; his loving uncle Angel Colpaert raised him in Ronse, Belgium. Mr. Sigillo is survived by his wife of 63 years, Irene (Eraine DeVisch) Sigillo; his son and daughter-in-law Eric and Kathy (Bushnell) Sigillo of Marlboro, MA; and his twins and their spouses: daughter Patricia and her husband Phillip Frezzette of Windham, NH; and son and daughter-in-law David and Jane (Perrault) Sigillo of Methuen, MA; grandchildren Chantal (Frezzette) Schreiner and her husband Samuel Schreiner of Londonderry, NH; and Paige Frezzette of Derry, NH. Mr. Sigillo also has twin great-granchildren. Each of his survivors will carry on their family patricarch?s legacy of love, friendship, and compassion. At the request of the family, there are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Fred?s name to either: Merrimack Valley Hospice House, 360 North Avenue, Haverhill, MA, 01830, or on line at: http://www.homehealthfoundation.org/memorial-gift or Massachusetts General Hospital, Development Office, 165 Cambridge Street, Suite 600, Boston, MA. 02114, Attn: Cancer Research or on line at: https://give.massgeneral.org/SSLPage.aspx?pid=379 A celebration of Fred?s life will be held on Sunday, October 14th, 1:00 PM, at the Haverhill Country Club, 58 Brickett Lane, Haverhill, MA., 01830. Arrangements are under the direction of the John Breen Memorial Funeral Home, Inc., 122 Amesbury Street, Lawrence, Massachusetts. For online condolences and other information please visit us at www.breenfuneralhome.com.