Friday, April 19, 2013

2013-04-13 Fred Ohrn passed away

Fred was a faithful supporter when I was scoutmaster in New Canaan. On one scout camp he set up a giant rain tarp so that we could be out of the weather. Frederic Axel Ohrn of New Canaan passed away on Saturday, April 13, of cardiac arrest at the age of 70. Fred or Freddie, as he was known to friends and family, was born Jan. 6, 1943, in Darien to Axel and Linnea Mattsson Ohrn, both émigrés who came to Connecticut from Sweden in the 1920’s. Fred spent his youth in Darien and graduated from Darien High School. He attended Brigham Young University and Syracuse University, where he competed as a member of the varsity crew team, before graduating from New York University in real estate and finance. After graduation, he began his career in advertising in New York City. Some years later, he discovered his true calling in the real estate industry. After working for a number of commercial real estate firms and becoming an industry expert, he formed his own real estate company, Ohrn & Company LLC, which he owned and operated for more than 30 years. Fred proudly helped develop many local areas in the greater New York City area, specializing in shopping centers and modular housing. As a true entrepreneur, he went on to found several other successful businesses. At the age of 28, while a resident of New York City, Fred met his true love, the beautiful Lynne Leonard. It was love at first sight and on May 26, 1972, he was married for time and all eternity to Lynne in the Salt Lake City Mormon Temple. He and Lynne had a long and successful partnership, both as husband and wife and as business partners. Together they founded local real estate company, Lynne Leonard Realty. Fred was the proud father of four children and grandfather of 11, all of whom remember him as a kind and devoted father. He maintained close ties to his large extended family and remained a devoted son. He described his father, Axel, as his best friend until his death at the age of 98. The two most important things in Fred’s life were his family and his service in the church. As a life-long member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Fred was always active in church service, both in official positions and callings, and also performing many acts of personal kindness and service to others. He spent many years as a teacher of children in the church. He served as a volunteer, with his wife, in the New York City Temple since its opening in 2004, every week. He was also active in missionary work, serving most recently as a New Canaan Ward missionary. Fred had great love for the all living things. This was apparent through his devotion to his inseparable companion of 17 years, Lickety, a golden retriever. He loved the outdoors and was always enamored of the sea. He spent his entire life boating on the Long Island Sound. In 2000, his passion for boating became part of his business, as he became the owner and operator of Eagle’s Landing Marina in Bridgeport. In recent years, he developed a passion for aquaculture. Fred was beloved by his friends and family for his kindness and openness to all people he met. He was always cheerful, always learning and improving himself, and always looking for people to help. He will be greatly missed. Fred is survived by his wife, Lynne Leonard Ohrn of New Canaan; his daughters, Amanda Ohrn Cunningham (son-in-law Robert) of San Diego, Calif., and Melinda Ohrn Radmacher (son-in-law Matthew) of Sacramento, Calif.; his sons, Winston Porter Ohrn (daughter-in-law Lisa) of Aliso Viejo, Calif., and Alexis Edward Ohrn of New York City; his sister, Barbara Ohrn Taylor Moirez (Guy) of Darien; and 11 adoring and adored grandchildren. A viewing will be held Sunday, April 21, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Edward Lawrence Funeral Home, 2119 Post Road in Darien. Funeral services will be held Monday April 22, at 11 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Chapel, 682 South Ave., New Canaan. Graveside services will be held immediately following the funeral at Spring Grove Cemetery, 41 Hecker Ave., Darien. Following the interment, a luncheon will be served at the LDS Chapel in New Canaan. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the LDS Missionary Fund by accessing the donations website at give.lds.org/missionary, then clicking the “Donate to the Missionary Fund” link at the bottom of the page. Read more: http://www.ncadvertiser.com/21181/obituary-frederic-ohrn-70-resident-founded-real-estate-companies/#ixzz2QwL0HgiZ

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