Frederick N. Kirkland, of Melrose, died at the Merrimack Valley Hospice on May 7, 2016 at the age of 85. Fred was born & raised in Cambridge and a graduate of Cambridge Rindge High School. He resided in Cambridge until 1966, Somerville for 5 years and Melrose since 1971. Fred worked as a Shipper for H.K. Porter for 33 years before his retirement. He was a former member of the Peabody Elks Club and loved taking long rides with his wife Annette. Fred enjoyed traveling to Florida and Montreal, Canada. He was the beloved husband of Annette C. (Nickerson) Kirkland for 58 years. Loving father of Linda J. MacLaren & her husband Donald of Tewksbury and Robert A. Kirkland of Melrose. Cherished grandfather of Jenn MacLaren-Kelley and Donald MacLaren & his wife Allyson, all of Tewksbury. Great grandfather of Quintin, Aidan and Jackson. Caring brother of Marion Hesketh of Tewksbury and the late Margaret Kirkland and Ruth Dunn. Brother in law of Ronald Nickerson of CO and Douglas Nickerson of Cape Cod. Also survived by many nieces & nephews. Visitation will be held at the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St., Melrose on Thursday, May 12th from 5-8PM. A funeral service will be held at the Gately Funeral Home on Friday, May 13th at 11AM. Relatives & friends respectfully invited to attend. Burial in Puritan Lawn Cemetery, Peabody.