Wilfred Frechette Jr.

BROOKSVILLE, FLORIDA — Wilfred “Willie” J. Frechette Jr., 87, passed away on Monday, March 27, 2017, due to complications from an automobile accident in Brooksville, Florida.

He was born in North Conway, N.H. on May 18, 1929, to Wilfred J. Frechette Sr. and Arlene (Sargent) Frechette. He attended Conway grade schools and Kennett High School, where he was known for his baseball and basketball skills. Willie graduated with the class of 1947 and on July 4th that same year he married his high school sweetheart, Patricia Merrill. They kept their home in the Conway area where they raised three children.Because of his love for fishing Wilfred became the Conway Lake Boat Inspector. With his boys in tow he would spend hours on the lake putting in buoys, keeping debris from the boat ramps and enforcing the laws and rules of the lake. He worked as a salesman for both Nissen’s Bread Co. and CE Noyes Tire Co. Working these sales routes he met many acquaintances that he kept as longtime friends throughout his adulthood. It was through these friends he found Port Clyde, Maine, which became both his and Patty’s favorite escape.

In 1972 Wilfred bought his first dump truck and began hauling for local companies. His off time was spent dropping a line at his favorite fishing spot. It was in 1976 that Willie and his son started W. Frechette Tire Co. During the time he was at the garage he also took on the Road Agent job in the Town of Albany, N.H., maintaining and plowing roads. In 1983 after a brief semiretirement, Wilfred purchased Sebago Lake Marina in East Sebago, Maine. In 1985/86, Willie decided to retire and sold W. Frechette Tire to his son, George, and Sebago Lake Marina to his son, Charles. In between fishing seasons, Willie and Patty traveled to many places. One of the adventures they chose was driving to Alaska in their motor home to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary which included fishing for salmon. Later on Wilfred and Patty wintered in Florida and spent their summers between Sebago Lake and Spruce Head, Maine, as well as Conway, which Willie always called “home.” Wilfred had a full life. He was an avid fisherman and spent many hours on the lake casting a line and waiting for that record-breaking togue or salmon to hit his hook. He would chat with the locals via his radio to keep track of where the next stop and drop would be. There was always a good fish story to share with his buddies over a bite to eat and a game of cribbage. In July and August of most summers he could be found up on the ocean with Patty and his grandsons, fishing from his small boat for mackerel and eating lobster purchased off the docks. Once Fryeburg Fair was over, Willie and Pat would head south for the winter and would return back north in time for the opening day of lake trout fishing. Patty passed away in 2006 after 59 years of marriage. In 2010, Willie met Maude Patterson of Brooksville, Fla. They married in Feb. of 2011, and wintered in Brookville, spending part of their summers at Sebago Lake.

Not only does Wilfred leave behind his wife, Maude, of six years; he leaves behind his daughter, Jana (Frechette) Leigh of West Stewartstown, N.H.; his son, Charles and wife, Karen (Lowd) Frechette of East Sebago; his son, George and wife Jobie (Chaplin) Frechette, of Conway N.H. He also leaves his grandchildren, Kara (Leigh) Marquis and husband, Ronald of Pittsburg, N.H., Andrea (Leigh) Hodge and husband, Steve of Clarksville, N.H., Charles and wife, Alisha of East Sebago, Ashley (Frechette) Madison and husband, Brandon of Rising Sun, Md., Penny (Frechette) Colby of Albany, N.H., Justin and wife, Aimee (Rabideau) Frechette of Conway, N.H.; and 13 great-grandchildren.

At Wilfred’s request there will be no visiting hours or funeral services. A family gathering will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Kennett Alumni Association, Class of 1947 Trust.