Fredrick Thomas McCue

Fredrick Thomas McCue, 54, was born to Karen and Thomas McCue on February 13, 1969, at the K.I. Sawyer Air Force base in Michigan. He passed away on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth, Minnesota.

Fred grew up on his parent's seaplane base, in Eveleth, Minn., where his love for aviation began. At a young age he started working with his dad and developed a strong work ethic and a passion for helping others. In 1985, Fred met the only person who could keep him from work, and he devoted himself to her every day.

On August 29, 1992, Fred and Melissa Maki were married. After completing post-secondary schooling in multiple cities across the region, they relocated to Rhinelander, where they found a home on Lake George. On Sept. 11, 1998, they had their first child, Clint. From then on Fred’s life revolved around his family. His daughter Mariah was born on Jan. 8, 2004, and his youngest son Payton was born on Nov. 9, 2006. 

Fred worked for the DOT as a Transportation Specialist. He worked on many projects in Minnesota and Wisconsin and was always proud to show his work. 

Above all, Fred loved conversation, you could always find him on the phone chatting and sharing his wealth of knowledge with others. Fred loved to go “bumming,”whether it was to town, to the UP, or on a drive with no destination. He just cherished having his family together in one place. He also valued sit-down family dinners to reconnect after a busy day. In 2017, Fred completed a lifetime goal, earning his private pilot’s license. He enjoyed talking about anything involving aviation, well, he enjoyed talking about everything. 

Fred is survived by his wife of 31 years Melissa, son Clint (Jo Gensler), daughter Mariah, and son, Payton; his mother, Karen (Lee Pontinen) McCue, brother, Tedd (Kelly) McCue, in-laws, Alan and Rosemary Maki, sister-in-law, Michele (Jerome) DeCormier; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephew, and cousins. 

Fred is preceded in death by his father, Thomas McCue, his maternal grandparents, Clifford and Lois Trygg, and paternal grandparents, Charles and Aleda McCue.

The visitation for Fred will take place on Sunday, October 22, 2023, at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, located at 21 W Timber Drive, from 12 p.m. until the 2 p.m. memorial service. 

A reception to follow.  

The burial will take place at Morcom Cemetery in Bear River, Minnesota at a later date.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Hildebrand Funeral Home & Cremation Specialists, 24 E. Davenport Street, Rhinelander, Wisconsin, 54501, 715-365-4343. Everyone is invited to sign the guestbook or leave an online condolence at www.hildebrandrussfh.com.