Frederick Stone Rushton

Frederick Stone Rushton, 91, of Worcester, passed away on July 29, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.

Born to Frederick and Dorothea Rushton and a life of serving others, Fred grew up down the hill from Buddy’s Spa in Rochdale, Massachusetts. He was an adoring big brother to his four sisters, Joyce, Dale, Lynn, and June. Fred graduated from Leicester High School in 1950 and then pursued a circuitous path beginning with a year at St. Bonaventure University in Olean, New York. Fred was then called to serve as a surgical assistant in the US NAVY on the USS Albany during the Korean War. During his service, he was awarded three medals, including the National Defense Medal. After his service in the US Navy, Fred graduated magna cum laude from The College of the Holy Cross in 1960. He was later awarded a master’s degree from Wesleyan University and Clark University.

Fred’s most extraordinary devotion was to his faith and family. Fred’s faith was shaped by his parents and further enriched by the Jesuits at Holy Cross. In retirement, Fred attended daily mass at Christ the King parish, often returning in the afternoons with his grandchildren to pray. Fred always emphasized the power of prayer to his family, often uttered the phrase “The Lord works in mysterious ways . . .”, and frequently prayed to Saint Anthony, whose statue sat in his beloved backyard garden. Fred also found and served alongside many lifelong friends at his home parish of Christ the King. Fred could be seen lectoring at the 9 am mass on Sundays, running parish picnics, and guiding liturgical retreats.

Fred’s family meant everything to him. He met the love of his life, Patty Corr, in the summer of 65 at Wesleyan University. In typical Fred fashion, he waited until the last night of the semester to ask Pat to go out for a hamburger. A year later, they were married, a devoted and inspirational marriage that lasted 58 years. Over four years, Fred and Pat welcomed twin boys and two additional children. For the rest of his life, Fred served his family. His children and grandchildren all deeply benefited from his presence. His impact could be felt by a quick phone call, helping with homework, a beautifully penned note, or suddenly showing up at your door with flowers from his garden.

Fred was the consummate public servant. Fred taught social studies with great enthusiasm at Forest Grove Middle School from the day the school opened in 1960 until he retired 46 years later. Fred was surrounded by many passionate educators, including Peter Fyrberg a lifelong devoted friend. Peter continued his devotion to their friendship, taking him out multiple times a week for quality time together until his last day. While he annually proclaimed, “The Ice Age is coming . . .”, he started each school year anew and with a fresh spirit to educate. He was touched when he was publicly recognized at the 2024 graduation of his two granddaughters, Josie and Tessie, as they represented the final two of his 6 grandchildren who attended Forest Grove. Honored as Massachusetts Social Studies Teacher of the Year, Fred was known for his innovative pedagogy and his ability to inspire confidence in young adults. Fred’s purpose as an educator was to bring out the best in each student who sat in his classroom.

His impact on his students is best captured by a college essay written by a self-described shy student who used the analogy “a pebble thrown to water and the reverberating waves” to describe “Mr. Rushton’s” impact in helping her feel valued and seen in the middle school classroom, propelling her to flourish academically and socially.

Fred’s service extended to historical preservation. He helped develop the education center at Old Sturbridge Village and served on the Board of Overseers, a place he often took his grandchildren to impart his love of history. When Worcester decided it was time to breathe life back into Mechanics Hall, he was part of the team that researched how to restore the Hall to its original magnificence.

Fred also enjoyed spending time at the National Seashore on Cape Cod, skiing at Wachusett Mountain, a hot fudge sundae from Friendly's with his grandchildren, reading historical biographies before bed, and making 6:00 am phone calls to impart his wisdom to those who were lucky enough to have been listed in his phone contacts. Fred’s infectious laugh which bellowed throughout his Tatnuck Square neighborhood, family gatherings, the Forest Grove hallways, and the Christ the King Church grounds will be greatly missed but always heard in our hearts and minds.

Fred leaves his wife Patrica, his children and their spouses Frederick (Lynn), Daniel, (Patricia), Mary (Edward), James (Katie), and grandkids Ricky (23), 2nd Lt. USMC, Katherine Rose(21), Liam(21), Nellie(20), Josie(15), Tessie(15), Alice(4) and Masie(3). He also leaves his sisters Joyce Hedlund, Rev. Mother Anne (Dale) Rushton, OSB of the Abbey of Regina Laudis in Bethlehem, CT., and Lynn Rushton. His sister June Friedgen predeceased him. He also leaves his brother and sisters-in-laws, Joseph and Cherie Corr, Richard and Mary Drumm, Robert Hedlund, and Michael Garvey, along with many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to express sincere appreciation for all who cared for him throughout his life including the devoted team at Notre Dame du lac and the staff at St Vincent’s Hospital and UMass Medical.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, August 1, from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Athy Memorial Home, 111 Lancaster St., Worcester. The funeral will be Saturday, August 2, with a Mass at 10 a.m. in Christ the King Church, 1052 Pleasant St., Worcester. Burial will be in St. Roch’s Cemetery, Oxford.

In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the Worcester Educational Development Foundation, 210 Park Ave., Suite 224, Worcester, MA 01609.