ObituaryCharlie Frederick loved a good laugh, and even a virulent form of cancer couldn't squelch the former Sanibel Fire Chief's humor. During the five years he lived with a terminal diagnosis, he amused friends and family alike, time and time again, with jokes and stories that made them all appreciate life a little bit more. Charlie was 54 when he died Monday, July 12. He retired as Sanibel's Fire Chief in October 2000, about a year after he was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. He had joined the Sanibel Fire Control District 28 years earlier, when the fire department was all-volunteer and the barrier island had one fire hydrant. He became one of Sanibel's first paid firefighters in 1975 and ultimately served the community he loved as its fire inspector, lieutenant, assistant chief and, from 1991 until his premature retirement, as chief. During that time he also served as secretary/treasurer of the Florida Fire Marshals Association (an organization whose members carry out inspections, investigations and school fire-prevention education programs), lobbying before both the Florida legislature and the U.S. Congress.Frederick was a high-school student from Illinois when he came to Sanibel Island for the first time with his parents in the 1960s. As a favor for the manager of The Gallery Motel, where they were guests, he fixed a creaky chair. His helpful attitude and array of practical expertise subsequently led to a job offer, and the industrious teen returned to The Gallery to work every summer thereafter until he graduated. Many of his summer island buddies turned into lifelong friends. He attended the College of Artesia in New Mexico and was working on a garbage truck in Boulder, CO, in 1971 when a September snow storm prompted his return to Sanibel. He found permanent work in construction. Working for Carl Wightman, he helped build many of the homes on Captiva in the early 70s. He also volunteered as a fireman. Charlie never had a burning desire to be a fireman, however. He was laid off from his construction job during a slow-down just as the Sanibel Fire Department became official, and he happened to be the only volunteer fireman who was available for full-time work. Ultimately, he attended the Fort Myers Fire Academy and earned an associate degree in fire administration from Edison Community College. Charlie always considered himself very lucky, and he set a fine example of living life to its fullest, with respect and appreciation for others. Over four years in and out of hospitals and doctors offices, he charmed all who helped him and always gave them his heartfelt thanks.Never one to sit still for long, he worked hard to practice patience as cancer made him weaker. Before going to sleep, he put his glasses on, propped a book in his lap and left the light on so as not to waste a moment should he awaken in the middle of the night. When cancer rendered him unable to ski, swim or ride his mountain bike, he bought a recumbent trike and became a familiar sight pedaling the bike paths of Casa Ybel Road, Tarpon Bay Road and Periwinkle Way, stopping along the way to trim low-hanging branches from the trails. Just last year Charlie and his wife, Ricki Cooper, moved from Sanibel to a little house along the Caloosahatchee River in Tice. He found a new outlet for his community spirit and regularly picked up trash and vegetation debris from a nearby park. He also served a complete turkey dinner last Thanksgiving to the homeless he had befriended in east Fort Myers. In addition to Ricki, Charlie is survived by his daughters, Coquina Frederick (Sanibel) and her son Tadem Stewart, Jillian Frederick Atun (Miami Beach), and their mother, Desiree Manville (Taos, NM); by his son, P. Cale Frederick (Sanibel) and Cales mother, Deborah Frederick, and grandmother, Kathleen Lerner (Sanibel). He is also survived by his mother, Dr. Christabel Frederick (Lake Bluff, Ill.); and his sister, Gile Meyer (Hinsdale, Ill). He was preceded in death by his father, Paul Frederick, and his brother, Peter Frederick. Charlie also leaves behind a legion of loyal friends with whom he loved to share a joke. When asked to share his words of wisdom by The Islander newspaper during an interview upon his retirement, Charlie offered this in all seriousness: The Golden Rule thing - be nice to everyone. He was.