Frederick E. Brutko Sr., 80, a resident of Wilkes-Barre, passed away on Friday morning, March 16, 2018, at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Wilkes-Barre.

His loving wife is Alice (Patterson) Brutko. Fred and Alice would have celebrated their 23^rd wedding anniversary on May 20^th.

Born on November 27, 1937, in Swoyersville, Fred was one of seven children born to the late Steve A. and Caroline (Dziadosz) Brutko.

Raised in Swoyersville, Fred attended the former Swoyersville High School, where he played trumpet in the school’s marching band.

A United States Navy veteran, Fred enlisted just days before the end of the Korean War, and honorably served his country for eight years.

During his Naval service, Fred was involved in a chemical accident which damaged his sight, eventually leading to total blindness. His loss of sight never diminished his will, and he went on to attend school to become a Certified Massage Therapist, and practiced massage therapy for many years prior to his retirement.

A proud veteran, Fred was a member of the American Legion, Andrew Lawrence Post 644, Swoyersville, the Blinded Veterans Association, and the Disabled American Veterans.

Fred enjoyed telling a good joke and listening to his audiobooks. Above all, his greatest enjoyment in life was spending time with his family, most especially his beloved grandchildren,

In addition to his parents, Steve and Caroline Brutko, Fred was preceded in death by his daughter, Lisa Brutko Loiselle; his brothers, Edward and Joseph Brutko; and his sisters, Anna Mae Brutko and Alyce Lopuhovsky.

In addition to his wife, Alice, Fred is survived by his sons, Frederick Brutko Jr. and wife, Maritza, Brick, New Jersey; and Albert Brutko, San Francisco, California; his daughters, Theresa Brutko, Dupont; and Michelle Grimes and husband, Steve, Swoyersville; his step-daughter, Bernadette Mishizen and husband, Frank, Wilkes-Barre; his numerous grandchildren; his brother, Steve Brutko, Boiling Springs; his sister, Maryann Whalen, Perth Amboy, New Jersey; as well as generations of nieces and nephews.

Relatives and Friends are respectfully invited to attend Fred’s viewing which will be held on Monday, March 19, 2018, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Wroblewski Funeral Home, Inc., 1442 Wyoming Avenue, Forty Fort.

For additional information or to send the Brutko Family an online message of condolence, you may visit the funeral home website, www.wroblewskifuneralhome.com, or Facebook page.

At Fred’s request, flowers are kindly asked to be omitted. Memorial Contributions may be made in Fred’s honor to the Blinded Veterans Association by visiting www.bva.org .