Fred M. Hawke; Tool and Die Manufacturer

Fred Miller Hawke, who started a tool and die shop in his Glendale garage that grew into Hawke Manufacturing, has died in a Glendale convalescent hospital. He was 77.

Hawke, a longtime Glendale resident who moved to Henderson, Nev., last year, died Monday of complications of heart disease and diabetes, his niece, Patti Stephens said.

Born June 9, 1913, in Ishpeming, Mich., he came to California as a child. After graduation from Glendale High School in 1931, Hawke enrolled in a trade school to learn tool and die manufacturing.

He started working at Lockheed Corp. in Burbank in 1935 and later started a tool and die business in his garage. In 1943, he moved the operation to a shop on Glendale Avenue, calling it Hawke Manufacturing. The business, later relocated to San Fernando Road, was run by Hawke until he sold it and retired in 1978. He continued as a consultant to the new owners for several years.

He was a member of the Jewel City Masonic Lodge in Glendale, the Moose Lodge in Glendale and the Elks Lodge in Downey, in addition to serving on the advisory board of One Central Bank for several years in the early 1970s.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Mildred Hawke of Henderson, and a sister, Ivy Clarry of Glendale.

A memorial service is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. today at Scovern Mortuary, 1434 Kenneth Road, Glendale, which is handling the arrangements. Donations can be made in Hawke’s name to the American Heart Assn. or the American Diabetes Assn.