April 15, 2007 — Fred Randolph Woods was born to John D.M. and the late Edith deJongh Woods on March 13, 1958, at Knud Hansen Hospital, St. Thomas. He was the third of four children.
On April 11, Freddie passed away unexpectedly. A lover of life, Freddie will be missed for his wonderful smile, energy and kind-hearted personality. His motto was "work to live, not live to work." We will miss his "hip, hip, hoorays" and will continue to cheer him as a "jolly good fellow." "So mote it be."
Freddie grew up on the deJongh property in Estate Staabi, north of Savan. He would live most of his life in that neighborhood, proud of the fact that he was a Savanero. As a child, he played with his brothers Robert and John, and sister, Julie, throughout the deJongh estate, a land filled with fruit trees and lots of space to run around in. The deJongh Ghut was his personal playground. He swam in natural pools, catching fish and shrimp. His father, John, was an avid outdoorsman and instilled in Freddie a great love for the outdoors, particularly the rocky shores of his beloved Thatch Cay, where he spent endless days fishing, swimming and picking whelks. Freddie grew up in a large extended family that included his cousins and the members of the Ramblers Club and Gypsy Troupe. He was raised at a time when the Virgin Islands were much simpler.
Freddie received his primary and secondary education on St. Thomas, graduating from Charlotte Amalie High School in 1977. Upon graduation, he entered the U.S. Army and, after serving three years, was honorably discharged with the rank of sergeant. Upon returning to St. Thomas, Freddie worked as an enforcement officer for the Department of Conservation and Cultural Affairs for three years. He moved to Orlando, Fla., in 1984 to pursue an opportunity in construction. He eventually went to work for the Orlando Department of Buildings and Grounds before returning to St. Thomas in 1995 to work as a building inspector for the Department of Planning and Natural Resources.
During his tenure at DPNR, Freddie became known as the "go-to guy," an individual of uncommon professionalism, courteous manners and with a knack for getting things done. He performed many duties at DPNR, including special liaison to the commissioner. In early 2007, he was promoted to chief building inspector by Gov. John deJongh Jr.
Freddie was an exuberant individual who lived life as if every day counted. He was an active member of several social organizations, including the Gentlemen of Savan, Asylum Bar and several Masonic fraternities. Freddie's love of the principles of Freemasonry was a source of great enjoyment in his life for the past 10 years. He was a member of St. Thomas Lodge No. 9679 EC, Harmonic Lodge No. 356 EC, Anguilla Masters Lodge No. 9335 EC, Zetland Chapter No. 356 of Royal Arch Masons and Charlotte Amalie Lodge No. 1834 of Mark Masons. He served as master of St. Thomas Lodge No. 9679 in 2002-2003 and second principal of Zetland Chapter No. 356 from 2005 to 2007. Prior to his death, he was appointed past district grand pursivant of the District Grand Lodge of Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean by the district grand master, the Baron of Ormiston.
Freddie was formerly married for more than 10 years to Lauren Heyliger. They remained close after their divorce until the time of his death. Their union produced two children: Cherrisse and Sean. Freddie is also survived by two other daughters, Shanique and Felicia. A source of great comfort and love over the last few years were his two grandchildren, Nia and Shkoi. He will also be remembered by his close confidant and companion of the last seven years, Stephanie Clark, and her daughter, Chattel.
In addition to his children and grandchildren, Freddie is survived by his grandmother, Mavis deJongh; father, John D.M. Woods; uncles, Robert deJongh, Sr. and James deJongh; sister, Julie Dukes; brothers, Robert and John P. Woods; sister-in-law, Janette Woods; brother-in-law, Martin Dukes Jr.; nephews, Rico, Ian, Jared and Reid Woods, Martin Dukes III and Julian Dukes; nieces, Bailee and Savannah Dukes and other members of the deJongh, Woods and Claussen families.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the St. Thomas Reformed Church. The Family has requested that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the VI Cardiac Center on St. Croix.
Virgin Islands Cardiac Center
Governor Juan F. Luis Hospital
4007 Estate Diamond Ruby
Christiansted, St. Croix, USVI 00820
