Lcdr Frederick Renford Stevens (Ret.)

LCDR Frederick R. Stevenson, Sr. USN (Ret.)Portsmouth, RI - LCDR Frederick R. Stevenson Sr., USN (Ret) 83,a long time resident of Portsmouth and Prudence Island, RI, passed away Monday, July 2, 2012 at Newport Hospital, Newport, RI. He was the husband of Margaret (Taylor) Stevenson. Born in Gouverneur, NY on Nov. 15, 1928, he was the son of the late Everett and Dorothy (Brown) Stevenson. LCDR Stevenson graduated from Gouvernuer High School in 1947. He enlisted in the Navy on October 12, 1948, and for the next 8 years he served as an "airdale" in Aviation Electronics. His duty stations included NAS Pensacola, Fla., Norfolk, Va., NAS Barbers Point Hi, ASO Philadelphia, Pa and NAS Key West, Fla. When he enlisted in the navy, his goal was to make Chief Petty Officer in 20 years; he made Chief in 8 years in 1956. The following year, he was selected to attend Officer Candidate School in Newport, RI, and was commissioned as an Ensign in September 1957. Frederick was very proud to be a "mustang" in the Navy, which is a person who worked his way through the ranks as an enlisted man and then becomes an officer. He earned the respect of many, for his accomplishments. As an officer his duties included being the Operations Officer on the USS Gainard and USS Semmes, an Instructor at the Officer Candidate School, a member of the Admiral's Staff at the 1st Naval District in Boston, OIC of RPIO Newport, RI., OIC Naval Ammunition Depot on Prudence Island/EOD Det, and the Executive Officer on the USS Huse. He was also the Assistant Director of the first International Officer Candidate School at Newport, having students from Saudi Arabia, Iran and Cambodia. After retiring from the Navy, with 30 years of distinguished service, Frederick graduated from Roger Williams University in 1985 with a degree in Industrial Technology and embarked on a few new careers. He worked for the VITRO Corp in Middletown, RI. for several years. Later he became a real estate broker and opened his own agency, Prudence Island Realty with his wife Margaret, and was a member of the Newport County Board of Realtors. He was very active in community affairs on Prudence Island. He served on the Prudence Planning Commission for over 20 years. He was also an active member of the Prudence Island Volunteer Fire Department since 1970, becoming the first Emergency Medical Technician on the island, and was very supportive of Emergency Medical Services training in Newport County. Later he was elected Fire Chief of the department in August 1990 until he stepped down for health reasons in April 1992. He was a life time member of the PIVFD, a member of the Prudence Island Conservancy, the Prudence Improvement Association, the Prudence Historical Society and the Retired Naval Officers Association. He is survived by his devoted wife of 61 years, Margaret and his three children, his son Frederick R. Stevenson Jr. and his wife Karen of Portsmouth, RI, and his daughters Susan Stevenson, of Portsmouth, RI and Sandra Stevenson Gempp and her husband Thomas of Portsmouth, RI. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Bradford Stevenson and his wife Donna of Essex MD, Douglas Stevenson and his fianc Erin McCauley of Providence RI, Ashley Gempp and Thomas Gempp Jr. of Portsmouth, RI. He is preceded in death by his brother, the late William Stevenson of Gouverneur, NY. Calling hours will be held on Sunday July 8, 2012, from 10:00am - 1:00pm in the Connors Funeral Home 55 W. Main Rd Portsmouth, RI. A Memorial service will be held at Sunday July 8, 2012 at 1:00pm in the funeral home. Burial will be private. Memorial donations may be made to the Prudence Island Volunteer Fire Department Narragansett Avenue, Prudence Island, RI 02872 or to the Wounded Warrior Project P.O.Box 758517 Topeka, KS 66675. Visitation JUL 8. 10:00 AM - 01:00 PM Connors Funeral Home 55 West Main Road Portsmouth, RI, US, 02871 info@memorialfuneralhome.com http://www.connorsfuneralhome.com Service JUL 8. 01:00 PM Connors Funeral Home 55 West Main Road Portsmouth, RI, US, 02871 info@memorialfuneralhome.com http://www.connorsfuneralhome.com