FAIRFAX - Frederick Giddings Bellows, 79, a lifelong resident of Fairfax, passed away peacefully at his home Wednesday, April 17, 2002. He was born in Fairfax on Jan. 7, 1923, son of the late Herbert C. and Elizabeth (Giddings) Bellows. He was a graduate of BFA Fairfax, Class of 1941. He served his country well as a member of the U.S. Army Air Corps and was a decorated veteran of World War II. He married the love of his life, the former Bette Brewster, on June 7, 1947, in Cambridge. Fred was a retired dairy farmer working part time over the years as a substitute Rural Route U.S. mail carrier and staff member of the then A.W. Rich Funeral Home. He was a member of The United Church of Fairfax and a dedicated volunteer, always giving back to the town he loved so much as a past member of the BFA-Fairfax School Board and 50-Plus Year member of the Lamoille Lodge 6, F&AM. He was a kind, patient and loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend. Fred always put others before him and was a loving, compassionate and committed caregiver for his wife, Bette Bellows, until her passing on Sept. 10, 2001. He was a true gentleman possessing a wonderful Vermont sense of humor. As a real native Vermonter he remained extremely modest about his wealth of wisdom and many talents so often shared with those friends and family in need. His passing will be a tremendous loss to the Fairfax community and all of those who had the true privilege to know and love him. He is survived by two sons, Dale Bellows of Fairfax and James Bellows and his wife, Leslie, of Dorado, Puerto Rico; his daughter, Patti Smith and her husband, Michael, of Fairfax; two brothers, Charles Bellows and his wife, Barbara, of Windsor and Robert Bellows and his wife, Margaret, of Colonial Heights, Va.; two sisters, Joyce McCuin of Fairfax and T. Louise Counos and her husband, William, of St. Albans; a son-in-law, James Ellsworth of Fairfax; his loving seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren who affectionately called him "Bump", Kelley, Kimberly, Kathi, Lauri, Nathan, Jessica, Alison, Jared, Mara; and several nieces and nephews. Fred was predeceased by a daughter, Cheryl Leigh Ellsworth in July of 1992. Visiting hours will be held in the Hayes-Rich Funeral Home on Saturday, April 20, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be held in the United Church Of Fairfax on Sunday, April 21, at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Elizabeth Griffin officiating. Interment will follow with full military honors in the family lot in Binghamville Cemetery in Fletcher. Memorial contributions may be made in Fred's memory to the United Church of Fairfax, c/o Sally Sweet-Treasurer, 44 Sweet Slattery Road, East Fairfield, Vt. 05448. Arrangements are by The Hayes-Rich Funeral Home 1176 Main St., Fairfax.