FRYEBURG — Fred G. Banfill, 90, passed while at Wolfeboro Bay Center in Wolfeboro, N.H., on Thursday, April 16, 2015, with his wife by his side.

He was born in Huggins Hospital on June 18, 1924, the son of Fred R. and Meleda Banfill. He attended Tuftonboro and Ossipee schools.

He was a WWII veteran, joining the Army during his senior year of high school and receiving an honorable discharge on Dec. 10, 1945.

Fred married his childhood sweetheart (they had known each other since she was three years old), Lillian Bisbee, on June 29, 1946. When the government offered him a chance to finish his education or learn a trade, Fred followed his dream of learning to fly. He and Lillian lived in a small cabin at Laconia Airfield. Lillian worked as a telephone operator while Fred learned to fly.

The couple made their home in Fryeburg, where Fred worked for H.P. Hood and Sons, and Lillian started her teaching career in Fryeburg schools.

In 1968, Fred resigned from Hood’s and started another career of both flying and repairing planes. He held FAA licenses as A&P/AI (airframe and power plant; and authorized inspector) for both fixed wing and rotorcraft while working as a self-employed contractor at White Mountain Airport in North Conway, N.H. Wylie Apte, owner of the airport, had bi-planes that Fred flew and maintained. He actually had to invent some of the tools to do the repair work since the original blueprints were not available. An intelligent man of many talents, whatever he attempted he applied avid enthusiasm and determination to succeed.

Fred enjoyed hunting with his friends, and he and Lillian enjoyed snowmobiling and motorcycling.

When they retired in 1988, they embarked on yet another adventure, moving to Bartow, Fla., into their winter home in Oak Hammock Mobile Park. They became “snowbirds” and golfers and met many new friends.

Fred belonged to the Masons, serving as Master of Pythagorean Lodge, Fryeburg, the Fryeburg Fish and Game Club, and Interstate Snogoers Snowmobile Club. They were both lifetime members of Fryeburg Fair, where Fred worked the Fish and Game booth. They were members of Lake Kezar Country Club and the Bartow Golf Course.

He loved creating beautiful things with wood or metal; he repaired many items over the years with a totally unique approach — often the item was much better than it was originally!

Fred is survived by his wife of 68 years; his daughter, Jo-Beth Holt; several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews; and cousins, many from the Ossipee and Wolfeboro area, as well as from the East Coast to the West Coast.

He was predeceased by his sisters Beatrice Riley, Evelyn Valley and Rita Means.

A private service has been planned. Arrangements are made with Wood Funeral Home. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.woodfuneralhome.org