Frederick Douglas Jenkins

Frederick Douglas Jenkins, a New York City native, was born in 1930 and left us on February 2, 2025;  with that, he remains in the hearts of the love of his life, Loretta O’Connor Jenkins, his eight children, Laurie (Kevin Trostle) Jenkins, Linda (Michael) Salerno, Diane (Gregory) Sefcik, Catherine (Terry) Nichols,  Doug (Donna) Jenkins, Loretta (David) Black, Daniel (Karen Halls) Jenkins,  Carol (Christian) Medins, twenty grandchildren, twenty great-grandchildren, and six bonus grandchildren. Doug was predeceased by his sister, Diane Beljean, and brother, Robert Jenkins.

This 1940’s love story and journey started when Doug saw Loretta across a dance floor at the Pepsi Cola Club – he, a sixteen year old, and she, all of thirteen years. Married in 1951, they recently celebrated their 74th anniversary. If you asked Doug his proudest achievement, he would immediately say, with love in his eyes, his family. 

An ambitious, hard-worker from his early years, Doug used his paper route as a young teen to help support his loved ones. Serving as  a Merchant Marine, Doug sailed to many foreign ports that became great stories for his kids and grand-kids. Among several interesting jobs in his early life, Doug  worked as an elevator operator, and ran a flooring business. As his family grew,  Doug met the challenge by studying to be an electrician, and was selected by his company to attend specialized training. By 1961, General Electric hired Doug as a field engineer. With continued ambition, he completed an Associates Degree in his early 40’s, was promoted to manager of field engineers, and eventually, a regional manager. Long after Doug retired in 1992, he still recommended GE products to family and friends. The career Doug chose and the life he and Loretta created allowed their eight children to grow and flourish.

Doug loved the adventure of travel, and started retirement with Loretta by traveling around this beautiful country. Included in their itinerary were many of the most well known National Parks. They enjoyed trips to Ireland, Scotland, Italy and France, frequently in the company of Doug’s sister-in-law, Carol (Edward) Costello, and his brother-in-law, Raymond (Jeanne) O’Connor. Just a few years ago, Doug visited the northwest and the glaciers of Alaska. 

Family was always a central focus of Doug’s life. He and Loretta were there for family and friends in times of need, and to share in the celebration of major events in the lives of their extended family, kids and grandkids:  Not a small task when their eight children live all over the United States; each with two or more kids. The number of baptisms and high school graduations alone was forty major trips!

Doug was industrious, smart, curious and interested in people, learning who they are and what they are doing. An extrovert, he was friendly, funny, with a great laugh and twinkle in his blue eyes.  

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the following organization in Doug’s name: 
The Salvation Army