Fred Paul DePucci: Passionate Car Enthusiast, Excellent Water Skier, Veteran

This section includes announcements of important events in our lives–births, graduations, engagements, marriages, and deaths. If you want to share an event with your community, please send a photo and a written piece to [email protected].

Fred Paul DePucci
September 18, 1934-June 28, 2022

Fred Paul DePucci passed away on June 28, 2022 at the age of 87.

Fred was born September 18, 1934 to Alfredo and Emilia DePucci in Arcata, California. After 2 years of service in the United States Army as an Airplane and Helicopter Mechanic, Fred returned to the Rio Dell/Scotia area where he worked for and eventually retired from Pacific Lumber Company as Head Mechanic.

If you knew Fred, you knew he was always either behind the wheel of a car, behind the wheel of a boat or repairing or restoring cars and trucks. As a young man, Fred spent many summers water skiing at the Rio Dell river bar and later Ruth Lake. As an excellent water skier himself, Fred thoroughly enjoyed pulling people behind the boat on either skis or a tube. His friends, children, and their friends were always made to feel welcome.

As a passionate car enthusiast, he restored many classic cars including his own 1941 Chevy Coupe. He took great pride in his work and was well known for the body, fender, and paint work that he enjoyed. Fred attended numerous car shows with his Chevy Coupe and won multiple awards he was very proud of.  In his later years, he enjoyed entertaining family and friends at his home in Rio Dell. Anytime there was a holiday, birthday, wedding, or reunion the party was at Fred’s. To say Fred was always up for a good time was an understatement. He enjoyed life to the fullest and wanted to be around others with the same zest for life. He will be greatly missed.

Fred is survived by his sister, Nancy Kurtz, his children Sherry and Gaylon Rock, Tony and Carolyn DePucci, Rick Machado, Kim Beagle, Arnie and Terri Parks, Robin Parks, Curt and Paula Parks and his numerous nieces, nephews, and grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, Alfredo and Emilia DePucci, daughters, Vicky Machado and Terri Parks, brother-in-law, Albert Kurtz, Sr, sister and brother-in-law, Rena and Gene Miller, and nephew, John Miller.

A celebration of life for Fred will be held Saturday, October 15, 2022 from 1:00-3:00pm at the Rio Dell Fire Hall.