Obituary: Frederick Willard Moffat Jr.

Frederick Willard Moffat Jr. of Port St. Lucie, Fla., formerly of Watertown, Mass. and Montclair died unexpectedly on April 16, 2019, age 72. 

Mr. Moffat was born in Glen Ridge and raised in Montclair. He was the son of Frederick Willard Moffat Sr. and Lois Mary (Nash) Moffat. He was a 1964 graduate of Montclair High School, and received his bachelors of arts degree from Bloomfield College (1968), a master of arts degree in history and Th.M. in Church Ministries and Administration from Boston University (1976). Between 1976 and 1991 he served United Methodist churches in Millbury, Northampton, Franklin, Brockton and Boston. As Pastor of Old West Church in Boston (1982-1991), he was instrumental in building the congregation to represent a diverse cross-section of people and neighborhoods throughout the Greater Boston area.

An avid follower of Julia Child, he formed a catering business while in graduate school. During his years at B.U. he regularly cooked restaurant-quality meals for a large circle of friends and roommates; his culinary abilities became widely known in Cambridge. He later cooked professionally in several Boston restaurants and at Shady Hill School. He also worked briefly at the Visiting Nurses Association.

Mr. Moffat is survived by his sister, Lois Ann Moffat, of Cedar Grove and many cousins and friends. 

A memorial service will be held at Old West Church in Boston, Mass. at a later date.

Donations may be made to Bloomfield College, ATTN: Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, 595 Commonwealth Ave., Suite 700 West, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, or to the Old West Church Restoration Fund, 131 Cambridge St., Boston, MA 02114.