I remember Uncle Fred.
I will always remember Uncle Fred as a kind and generous man. I remember when he owned a grocery store on Main Street in Watertown. Half the store was a butcher shop that sold meats, fruit and vegetables. The other half was run by a storekeeper who sold can goods, breads, etc.
I remember this because I “worked” there. If you could call it work. The first time I went to “work” I couldn’t have been more than 6 or 7. I think we lived next door to the store at the time. My parents were going somewhere – I didn’t know where. They dropped me off at Uncle Fred’s store. I got immediately to work by rearrange boxes around in the storeroom in back of the meat counter. I climbed into more than I rearranged. Lots of fun.
After a few hours my parents came by to take me home. As I waited at the door for my parents, Uncle Fred handed me a quarter for my “work”. Big bucks at the time! Much to my despair, my mother saw this and made me give it back. Perhaps that’s why I remember this so clearly Big bucks and candy it would buy down the drain.
That was only the first time I visited the store. Uncle Fred was always inviting. In the 1950’s stores were a lot different. It was not unusual to see flypaper hanging here and there. Our cousin Frank and I were available on many occasions to help get rid of the critters. How we did it – I won’t say.
As I got older, I would bicycle from my home in Newton Upper Falls to Watertown, always stopping off at Aunt Eleanor and Uncle Fred’s home on Myrtle Street on the way to grandma’s on Linden Street.
I always felt welcome.
I am sorry for you loss.
Lou Andrews
p.s When I got confirmed I had to choose a name – it was Alfred.
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