Brick Mourns Former Councilman, Civic Leader Fred Underwood

The logo of Brick Township, N.J. (Photo: Daniel Nee) The Sanderling sailboat was added to the township crest as part of efforts of the late Frederick Underwood, former councilman.

With accomplishments such as Past Commodore of the Metedeconk River Yacht Club, longtime Brick teacher and administrator and Eucharistic Minister for Visitation Church among many other titles, former two-time Councilman Frederick Underwood was remembered at tonight’s council meeting.

Underwood, age 79, died at Ocean Medical Center August 21 from natural causes, according to his obituary from Weatherhood Young Funeral Home. His local political career began with service on the township’s zoning board and continued as the Democrat was twice elected to council terms through the 1990s.

An avid Sanderling sailor, Underwood had a Sanderling added to the township crest during his time on the council. Mayor John Ducey and members of the council and administration offered condolences to the Underwood family and remarked on some memories of a man who held many volunteer offices in Brick.

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For example, Underwood was a longtime volunteer for Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Ocean County and was on their Board of Directors from 2005 to 2008. He was active as a counselor for the Boy Scouts of America and was an Eagle Scout as well.

After Superstorm Sandy destroyed much of the waterfront areas of Brick, Underwood, then the chairman of the Metedeconk River Yacht Club, was prominent in orchestrating the rebuilding of the MRYC. His service to the club didn’t start there, as in the 1970s  he also helped to establish its liquor license, floating docks and bulkheads, according to his obituary.

Ducey mentioned Underwood’s prominence in the sailing community in Brick as part of his mayoral comments at the Aug. 21 meeting. Others mentioned Underwood’s career as a teacher and administrator, retiring as a vice principal.

Council president Andrea Zapcic remembered Underwood when she was working for the township and he was serving on the council.

“His wit and his sense of humor were unmatched,” said the council president.

“Brick lost two civic leaders recently,” said Ducey, as he and the council members shared condolences also for Carol Wolfe. Wolfe, who died this week, was the founder of Dottie’s House, a battered women and children non-profit in Brick. Wolfe’s legacy changing lives and standing up for victims of domestic violence was unmatched, said the mayor.