Obituary of Frederick A. DeClement

Frederick A. DeClement Jr. M.D. of Pitman NJ passed away at his home on February 17th, 2021 surrounded by his family. Born in 1933, he was raised in Hammonton, NJ. After graduating Hammonton High School and briefly attending Georgetown University, Fred enlisted in the United States Navy and served as a Corpsman. He always joked he was the only sailor he knew that never made it onto a ship. After being honorably discharged from the Navy Fred attended and graduated from Saint Bonaventure University in Olean, NY. He was on summer break from college working as a technician in Newcomb Hospital in Vineland, NJ, when he met Joan Goldenberg who was a nurse at the hospital. He often described Joan as the prettiest woman he had ever seen. A long, happy marriage followed, blessed with the birth of two sons and, eventually, six grandchildren. After graduating from Saint Bonaventure he attended and graduated from Seton Hall College of Medicine and Dentistry in Jersey City, NJ. Fred completed his surgical training at Hahnemann Hospital in Philadelphia where he became interested in the treatment of burn injuries. His interest grew into a passion for burn care which eventually drew him to St. Agnes Hospital in Philadelphia. While at St. Agnes, Dr. DeClement became a pioneer in the area of burn care and the driving force behind the establishment of Philadelphia's first adult burn center in 1974. During his long career in medicine he attained numerous accomplishments and achievements; however, he took the greatest pleasure and pride in his training of hundreds of young doctors in the treatment and care of burn injuries at the St. Agnes Burn Center. His thirty years of dedication to burn care has left a lasting footprint in the treatment of burn patients. Fred was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Joan (nee Goldenberg), his brother Gerald and sister-in-laws, Regina (DeClement) and Frances (Hinman). He is survived by his son David and daughter-in- law Stacy (Campbell) and grandchildren Grant and Mallory and his son Daniel and daughter- in- law Kari (Matz) and grandchildren Elizabeth, Emily, Anabelle and Christopher. He will be missed by his cat who was also named Frederick. He also leaves behind his nephew Frederick and nieces Lisa, Regina and Kathleen as well as numerous cousins. A viewing will be held Wednesday, February 24th from 6:00 to 8:00pm and Thursday, February 25th from 10:00 to11:00 am at Kelley Funeral Home, 125 Pitman Ave., Pitman, NJ. Funeral service will be at 11am followed by interment at Holy Cross Cemetery in Mays Landing. Memories may be shared at www.kelleyfhpitman.com.