Dateline - Wells, ME

Frederick Joseph Gruter, Jr., 69, of Wells, formerly of North Bellmore, NY, died unexpectedly on Tuesday morning, August 9, 2016 at his residence. He was born in Sunnyside, NY, a son of Frederick Joseph Gruter, Sr., and Margaret (Squire) Gruter. Fred grew up in East Meadow, NY, graduating from East Meadow High School. He then attended Nassau Community College. In 1967, he was inducted into the U.S. Army, and served in Vietnam as a mortarman.

Following his discharge from active duty, Fred worked as a Steamfitter with KSW Mechanical in New York, retiring in 2011. He worked in high rise construction, and was honored to work on the Freedom Tower in NYC. When he returned from Vietnam, he met his future wife, the former Robin Ann Scire. Love bloomed, and they were married on November 21, 1970 in Bayside, NY.

After retiring to Maine in 2011, Robin encouraged Fred to keep busy. He began working at C & S Toy Chest in Perkin’s Cove in Ogunquit. His grandsons were very impressed that their grandfather worked in a toy store! In his spare time, he enjoyed gardening, golfing, and fishing. He simply adored his grandchildren and loved spending time with them. He was a life time member of the Vietnam Veterans of America, and was very proud of his service in the Vietnam War.

Fred is predeceased by his mother.

Survivors include his loving wife of 45 years, Robin Gruter of Wells, ME; his daughter, Jody Gruter of Seaford, NY; his son, Christopher Gruter and wife Christina of Seaford, NY; his father, Frederick Joseph Gruter, Sr., of Westbury, NY; six brothers, Richard Gruter of Holtsville, NY, Kenneth Gruter of East Meadow, NY, Robert Gruter of Deer Park, NY, Michael Gruter of Bellmore, NY, John Gruter of Bethpage, NY, Thomas Gruter of Lindenhurst, NY; two grandsons, John Joseph Soviero and Harrison Robert Gruter.

Visiting hours will be on Sunday, August 14, 2016 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Frederick J. Chapey and Sons Funeral Home, 20 Hicksville Road, Bethpage, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday morning, August 15, 2016 at 9:45 a.m. at St. Rafaels Church, 600 Newbridge Road, East Meadow, NY. Inurnment will be at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery. Should friends choose, memorial donations in Fred’s memory are encouraged to: Vietnam Veterans of America, 8719 Colesville Road, Suite 100, Silver Spring, MD 20910; or Wells EMS, PO Box 1568, Wells, ME 04090 . To share a memory or leave a message of condolence, please visit Fred’s Book of Memories Page at www.bibberfuneral.com .

Arrangements are in care of Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer Street, Kennebunk, ME 04043.