FREDERICK WESLEY BACKUS
Frederick Wesley Backus, 79, of N. Hutchinson Island, FL, died peacefully in his sleep at his residence on May 23,2006.
Fred and his wife Miriam moved to Ft. Pierce area in 1993 to be closer to the less populated "Old Florida" that he so loved.
Fred, first generation of the pioneering Miami Backus family, was born in Miami on Sept 17th, during the great hurricane of 1926. The Backus family settled in Miami at the turn of the last century. Fred's grandfather, Frederick Waterman Backus, was one of the first two architects in Miami. Fred's mother Daisy White Backus, was a descendant of Peregrine White, the only baby born on the Mayflower in Plymouth Harbor.
Fred was a graduate of Edison High School in Miami, FL. He then enlisted in the Navy and served aboard the USS Juneau. Fred returned from the service and graduated from the University of Florida in 1949. There he became a lifetime member of Sigma Chi fraternity.
After college, he joined his father's business, Howard Backus Towing (Marine towing) on the Miami River as a Tugboat Captain. Fred was an expert at navigating the Miami River with large cargo vessels in tow. He took over the family business and operated it for three decades. He was also owner and president of Backus Corp.
Fred served for years on the Miami River Commission.
He was an avid horseman and animal lover.
He will be sorely missed by his family and friends. He is survived by his devoted wife, Miriam Valls Backus, daughter and son-in-law, Dr. Anita Backus Chang and Michael Chang, new baby grandson, Wesley M. Chang, of Mountain View, CA, step-daughter Cheri Crossgrove, of Dallas, TX., nieces, Carolyn Kunz Alvarez, Elizabeth Kunz Walker of Orlando, FL, and nephew, Paul Kunz of Boca Raton, FL.
He is preceded in death by his first wife, Angela McCarthy Backus, and his son, Frederick Waterman Backus, II.
In lieu of flowers a contribution may be made to Hospice of the Treasure Coast, 1201 SE Indian Street, Stuart, FL 34997.
Arrangements are under the directions of Haisley Funeral and Cremation Service.
Private graveside services will be held in Miami at the Backus Family plot in Woodlawn Cemetery, at a later date. www.haisleyfuneralhome.com
Published in the TC Palm on 5/26/2006.
Frederick Wesley Backus, 79, of N. Hutchinson Island, FL, died peacefully in his sleep at his residence on May 23,2006.
Fred and his wife Miriam moved to Ft. Pierce area in 1993 to be closer to the less populated "Old Florida" that he so loved.
Fred, first generation of the pioneering Miami Backus family, was born in Miami on Sept 17th, during the great hurricane of 1926. The Backus family settled in Miami at the turn of the last century. Fred's grandfather, Frederick Waterman Backus, was one of the first two architects in Miami. Fred's mother Daisy White Backus, was a descendant of Peregrine White, the only baby born on the Mayflower in Plymouth Harbor.
Fred was a graduate of Edison High School in Miami, FL. He then enlisted in the Navy and served aboard the USS Juneau. Fred returned from the service and graduated from the University of Florida in 1949. There he became a lifetime member of Sigma Chi fraternity.
After college, he joined his father's business, Howard Backus Towing (Marine towing) on the Miami River as a Tugboat Captain. Fred was an expert at navigating the Miami River with large cargo vessels in tow. He took over the family business and operated it for three decades. He was also owner and president of Backus Corp.
Fred served for years on the Miami River Commission.
He was an avid horseman and animal lover.
He will be sorely missed by his family and friends. He is survived by his devoted wife, Miriam Valls Backus, daughter and son-in-law, Dr. Anita Backus Chang and Michael Chang, new baby grandson, Wesley M. Chang, of Mountain View, CA, step-daughter Cheri Crossgrove, of Dallas, TX., nieces, Carolyn Kunz Alvarez, Elizabeth Kunz Walker of Orlando, FL, and nephew, Paul Kunz of Boca Raton, FL.
He is preceded in death by his first wife, Angela McCarthy Backus, and his son, Frederick Waterman Backus, II.
In lieu of flowers a contribution may be made to Hospice of the Treasure Coast, 1201 SE Indian Street, Stuart, FL 34997.
Arrangements are under the directions of Haisley Funeral and Cremation Service.
Private graveside services will be held in Miami at the Backus Family plot in Woodlawn Cemetery, at a later date. www.haisleyfuneralhome.com
Published in the TC Palm on 5/26/2006.
FREDERICK WESLEY BACKUS
Frederick Wesley Backus, 79, of N. Hutchinson Island, FL, died peacefully in his sleep at his residence on May 23,2006.
Fred and his wife Miriam moved to Ft. Pierce area in 1993 to be closer to the less populated "Old Florida" that he so loved.
Fred, first generation of the pioneering Miami Backus family, was born in Miami on Sept 17th, during the great hurricane of 1926. The Backus family settled in Miami at the turn of the last century. Fred's grandfather, Frederick Waterman Backus, was one of the first two architects in Miami. Fred's mother Daisy White Backus, was a descendant of Peregrine White, the only baby born on the Mayflower in Plymouth Harbor.
Fred was a graduate of Edison High School in Miami, FL. He then enlisted in the Navy and served aboard the USS Juneau. Fred returned from the service and graduated from the University of Florida in 1949. There he became a lifetime member of Sigma Chi fraternity.
After college, he joined his father's business, Howard Backus Towing (Marine towing) on the Miami River as a Tugboat Captain. Fred was an expert at navigating the Miami River with large cargo vessels in tow. He took over the family business and operated it for three decades. He was also owner and president of Backus Corp.
Fred served for years on the Miami River Commission.
He was an avid horseman and animal lover.
He will be sorely missed by his family and friends. He is survived by his devoted wife, Miriam Valls Backus, daughter and son-in-law, Dr. Anita Backus Chang and Michael Chang, new baby grandson, Wesley M. Chang, of Mountain View, CA, step-daughter Cheri Crossgrove, of Dallas, TX., nieces, Carolyn Kunz Alvarez, Elizabeth Kunz Walker of Orlando, FL, and nephew, Paul Kunz of Boca Raton, FL.
He is preceded in death by his first wife, Angela McCarthy Backus, and his son, Frederick Waterman Backus, II.
In lieu of flowers a contribution may be made to Hospice of the Treasure Coast, 1201 SE Indian Street, Stuart, FL 34997.
Arrangements are under the directions of Haisley Funeral and Cremation Service.
Private graveside services will be held in Miami at the Backus Family plot in Woodlawn Cemetery, at a later date. www.haisleyfuneralhome.com
Published in the TC Palm on 5/26/2006.
Frederick Wesley Backus, 79, of N. Hutchinson Island, FL, died peacefully in his sleep at his residence on May 23,2006.
Fred and his wife Miriam moved to Ft. Pierce area in 1993 to be closer to the less populated "Old Florida" that he so loved.
Fred, first generation of the pioneering Miami Backus family, was born in Miami on Sept 17th, during the great hurricane of 1926. The Backus family settled in Miami at the turn of the last century. Fred's grandfather, Frederick Waterman Backus, was one of the first two architects in Miami. Fred's mother Daisy White Backus, was a descendant of Peregrine White, the only baby born on the Mayflower in Plymouth Harbor.
Fred was a graduate of Edison High School in Miami, FL. He then enlisted in the Navy and served aboard the USS Juneau. Fred returned from the service and graduated from the University of Florida in 1949. There he became a lifetime member of Sigma Chi fraternity.
After college, he joined his father's business, Howard Backus Towing (Marine towing) on the Miami River as a Tugboat Captain. Fred was an expert at navigating the Miami River with large cargo vessels in tow. He took over the family business and operated it for three decades. He was also owner and president of Backus Corp.
Fred served for years on the Miami River Commission.
He was an avid horseman and animal lover.
He will be sorely missed by his family and friends. He is survived by his devoted wife, Miriam Valls Backus, daughter and son-in-law, Dr. Anita Backus Chang and Michael Chang, new baby grandson, Wesley M. Chang, of Mountain View, CA, step-daughter Cheri Crossgrove, of Dallas, TX., nieces, Carolyn Kunz Alvarez, Elizabeth Kunz Walker of Orlando, FL, and nephew, Paul Kunz of Boca Raton, FL.
He is preceded in death by his first wife, Angela McCarthy Backus, and his son, Frederick Waterman Backus, II.
In lieu of flowers a contribution may be made to Hospice of the Treasure Coast, 1201 SE Indian Street, Stuart, FL 34997.
Arrangements are under the directions of Haisley Funeral and Cremation Service.
Private graveside services will be held in Miami at the Backus Family plot in Woodlawn Cemetery, at a later date. www.haisleyfuneralhome.com
Published in the TC Palm on 5/26/2006.
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