John Bassett Moore Frederick

John Bassett Moore Frederick was one of twins born 25 January 1930 in New York City to Karl Telford Frederick, a prominent lawyer and winner of three gold medals for shooting in the 1922 Antwerp Olympics, and Anne Ferguson Moore, an artist who had studied at the Beaux-Arts de Paris and daughter of the first American judge on the World Court at The Hague. John’s twin, Karl died young of pneumonia, but the family expanded with his two sisters, Helen and Lisa.John attended the Buckley School in Manhattan, the Rye Country Day School and Deerfield  Academy, and graduated from Princeton University in 1951. After three years at the General Theological Seminary in New York City, he was ordained deacon and then priest in the Episcopal Church, serving as a curate at St Peter’s, Cheshire, Connecticut and chaplain at Cheshire Academy. In 1948 he was fifth place in the national tryouts for the U.S. Olympic slow-fire pistol team and attended the London Olympics as a reserve.

In 1952, John served as a Winant Volunteer in the east end London borough of Poplar, returning as their chaplain in 1956. After two years as assistant priest at All Hallows-by-the-Tower under vicar Tubby Clayton, founder of Toc H, John became a curate at SS Philip and James’, Oxford. Married in 1960 to English widow Jean Norman Procter, a painter, the couple came to this country where he served as rector of St John’s Church, New Haven for ten years. In 1970, John and his family moved to Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK, where he earned a Ph.D. in theology at Birmingham University. Simultaneously he served as priest-in-charge of an underprivileged parish, St Paul’s, Balsall Heath, successfully enough working with the English and West Indian parishioners that the bishop, who had planned to close the church down, decided to retain it. In 1974 Emmanuel College, Cambridge appointed him Rector of Bletchingley, Surrey and he later  became Rural Dean of Godstone. He also served as Chaplain to the High Sheriff of Surrey and had to preach to a congregation of judges and schoolchildren on the same occasion. While there,  he wrote a book on liturgy which was considered “ahead of its time” (he was also a strong advocate for the ordination of women) plus two works on the lineage of British land forces, of which he became a recognized authority.

Retiring to Princeton in 1995 (his stepdaughter Susan and daughters Alexandra and Sarah had all settled in America), he continued his vocation as a priest associate of All Saints’ Church. John pursued his passion for history, becoming Governor of the New Jersey Society of Colonial Wars. Interested in many subjects, he wrote an historical novel based on a forebear from Elizabethtown who had held the king’s commission throughout the Revolutionary War. John’s beloved wife Jean died in 2017 but he continued to live in Princeton until his death on 29 October 2025.

John is survived by his daughters, Susan Perin (Reuben Jr.), Alexandra Frederick and Sarah Borner du Cane (Paul); step-grandchildren Serena Perin Vinton and Reuben Lyman Perin III and families; grandsons Thomas and Henry Borner du Cane; niece Wendy Parker; niece Judith Burchell and family; nephew Marcus Beaven and family, cousin Deirdre Forman, and countless friends and colleagues in several continents.

John lived a life dedicated to learning and education, pastoral care and contributions to society. His curiosity and loving nature will be sorely missed. The funeral service will be held at Trinity Church, Princeton at 4 p.m. on Saturday 15 November. Donations to Trinity Church and Heifer International gratefully received.