Frederick John Freitas, born May 20, 1941 in Fairhaven, Mass to John and Margaret Freitaspassed away peacefully Saturday August 14th surrounded by his closest loved ones.
A graduate of Fairhaven High School, Class of 1959, Fred enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served honorably for 4 years as a Special Weapons Technician in the 1035th Field Group which required having Top Secret and “Q” security clearances and reported directly to Air Force Headquarters in Washington, DC. An accomplished business man, he studied Business Management for two years in the evening at SMU while working at Edgerton, Germeshausen & Grier, Boston & Bedford Mass. As an Electronics Technician, he was instrumental and responsible for wiring and assembly of systems for the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) used in atomic bomb tests, timing and firing. Precisely timed electronic pulses enabled development of Nuclear Weapons triggers used 1 time at ground zero. He was also involved with EG&G’s high speed imaging capability development of a World Weather Mapping System. He was promoted to Quality Control Supervisor before leaving the company. He then joined EPEC Industries, New Bedford, Mass., Quality Control Systems involved in the manufacturing of electronic printed circuit boards and was promoted to Production / Plant Manager. EPEC supplied circuit boards used in the Magnavox FADAC program during the Vietnam War and the Bendix “Friend or Foe” I.D. system used in U.S. war planes. In 1972, Fred and his family relocated to Salem, NH where he joined HADCO Corporation. HADCO manufactured complex and multi-layer electronic printed circuit boards. As Vice President of Manufacturing / Facilities, he successfully managed major facility and production expansions and upgrades of technical capabilities at the Derry and Owego facilities with minimal effect on daily production.
In 1989, he and his wife Marilyn opened a Minuteman Press franchise in Orlando, Florida. After building the business for many years and successfully surpassing $1 million in sales, they retired to Cocoa Beach, Florida. They enjoyed many cruises to the Caribbean Islands, Bermuda, Mexico and Alaska. Fred was a loyal Red Sox and Patriots fan and he also enjoyed reading, gardening, puzzles, and sitting outside on the deck, playing games with his family.
Fred’s beloved wife, Marilyn “Lyn” (Vercellone), pre-deceased him on April 1, 2007, after 43 years of marriage. He is also pre-deceased by his sister Margaret “Peggy” Jackson and nephew Eric Jackson of Fairhaven. He is survived by his loved ones, son Karl and his wife Andrea of Humble, TX, son Steven and his wife Rhonda of Salem, NH, five loved grandchildren, Madelaine, of Salem, NH, and Colin, Katherine, Kirsten and Carson of Humble, TX, sister Joan Perry of New Bedford, nieces, Colleen Jackson of New Bedford and Tina Lawrence, of Fairhaven and nephew Randall Jackson of New Bedford. Fred also leaves behind many dear friends, especially his dear close friend Elaine Kelly of Dartmouth, MA.
Family and friends are invited to calling hours on Friday August 20, 2021 from 10am to 12pm at the Goundrey and Dewhirst Funeral Home, 42 Main St., Salem, NH. A funeral service will follow the calling hours at Noon on Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery, Salem To leave an online condolence, please visit Fred’s tribute page at www.goundreydewhirstfuneral.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to High Pointe Hospice House, 360 North Avenue, Haverhill, MA 01830. Or online at merrimackvalleyhopsice.org.
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