Frederick John Saleeby, age 87, passed peacefully at his home in Raleigh after a yearlong struggle with cancer on Wednesday, August 28, 2013. He was surrounded by family and friends.

A Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather and an Officer and a Gentleman. In World War II, Fred served his country in the Pacific theatre on the USS Ancon including every major engagement from Okinawa to the Japanese surrender. On the morning of August 29, 1945 Fred sailed with the Ancon into Tokyo Bay. From the ship's anchorage between the USS Missouri and the USS South Dakota, he witnessed the official Japanese surrender on September 2, 1945. He was also a first lieutenant on the ground during the Korean War and retired from the Army Reserve as a Captain.

Fred loved to say with a smile that he had been through two wars, but had never seen anything like what his children could present him! Fred is survived by his wife of 63 years, Eileen Patricia McKenna "Pat" Saleeby. He is also survived by his five children and their families ââ?¬â?? Fred Saleeby, Jr. and wife Marilyn, Karen Rice and husband Dan, Tim Saleeby, Bryn Townsend and husband Norris, and Reid Saleeby and wife Karen. Fred had six grandchildren and two great grandchildren whom he loved dearly.

He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from East Carolina Teachers College (ECU), and worked in the pharmaceutical and medical capital equipment industries with great success.

He loved playing golf and winning at gin rummy at the Raleigh Country Club. Going to his second home in North Myrtle Beach with Pat, kids and grandkids was also a favorite pastime. Cooking and idolizing his wife were his favorite hobbies.

Daddio, we love you and miss you!

A service will be held on Saturday, August 31, 2013, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic church on 2718 Overbrook Drive in Raleigh, NC. Visitation will begin at 1:00PM in the vestibule of the church, and the service will begin promptly at 2:00PM.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS, 66675 or online at WoundedWarriorProject.org.