Orville G Fredette

Orville G. Fredette, 83, of Plattsburgh, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Thursday, January 20, 2022 at UVM Health Network-CVPH. He was born in Plattsburgh, NY, on November 17, 1938, the son of Joseph and Bernice (Rock) Fredette.

Orville attended Chazy Central Rural School, where he excelled in his industrial arts class and was a well-known soccer player in the local community, leading his ala mater to state championships. In school, he enjoyed his industrial arts class, where he gained skills in auto repair and woodworking. Orville used his woodworking skills to create elaborate stage sets for school plays, as well as making beautiful, one of a kind, hand-crafted furniture that his children will cherish for many years to come.

In 1956, Orville joined the US Army Reserves. Several years later, on May 27, 1961, Orville married his high school sweetheart and love of his life Doris Downs at St Louis de France Church in Sciota, NY. Soon after, he was called to active duty and served during the Bay of Pigs Invasion in Cuba and was stationed at Fort Bragg, NC until he was honorably discharged in 1963. After his discharge from the military, Orville worked for several construction companies before securing employment at the Plattsburgh City School District, where he worked as the building maintenance foreman for 23 years, retiring in 2002.

Orville was a devoted and loving husband and father. With the help of his wife Doris, they created a beautiful, loving home to raise their family. He enjoyed spending time with his children, whether it was building blanket forts, going sledding, making home-made hockey rinks, playing basketball or badminton or lending a hand with school projects. He adored his grandchildren and was excited to attend their school functions, drive them to school sporting events, or babysit when needed. His children considered their dad a superhero, and even as adults, still see him that way. He was always there for them through their ups and downs, and was eager to pass on his vast knowledge of cars and construction and taught them to enjoy every moment that life has to offer.

Orville had a lifelong love of cars and was known for his cherished 1957 Ford Fairlane Hardtop Convertible, which he owned for 67 years. On any given summer weekend, he could often be found at a local classic car show earning many notable awards and trophies. Orville and his best friend, Albert Barcomb, spent countless hours restoring the 57’, as well as working together on many other auto and construction projects. Over the 60 years of their friendship, Albert and Orville were always available to help each other out, and both enjoyed their weekly visits, where the two of them spent hours swapping war stories, chatting about the old days, and laughing about the mischief they got into.

Family and friends would describe Orville as someone who was always ready to lend a helping hand with car repairs, household construction projects, or snow plowing driveways in the winter. He was honored to have served his country and, over the years, wore his title as a Veteran proudly. He had a passion for laughter and liked to make people laugh, and could be hard-headed at times but truly was a softy at heart.

In his retirement, Orville enjoyed traveling, going to the casino with his son-in-law Pierre, working on his classic car, puttering around the house doing projects, watching westerns, or playing a competitive game of dominos with family and friends.

Orville is predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Bernice (Rock) Fredette, his brother Joseph Fredette, Jr, his half-sister Gertrude Burdo, and his half-brother Roland (Freddie) Fredette.

Left to cherish his memory are the love of his life and wife of 60 years, Doris (Downs) Fredette, their three children Randy Fredette of Plattsburgh, Kimberly (Troy) Granmoe of Morrisonville, and Tracy (Pierre) Morin of Wake Forest, NC; seven grandchildren; Alyssa Fredette, Collin Fredette, Taylor Fredette, Kristen Banting (companion Justin Bertrand), Brittany Strong, Justin Granmoe, and Sophia Morin; three great grandchildren, Brynn, Blake and Bentley Bertrand, and many nieces and nephews, especially Pamela (Greg) Glover whom Orville loved like a daughter.

Calling hours will be held on January 29, 2022 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at Brown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh; a funeral service will follow in the Brown Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will be at St. Peters Cemetery in the Spring.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Fitzpatrick Cancer Center in memory of Orville Fredette.
Arrangements are entrusted to Brown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh. Online condolences may be offered at www.brownfuneralhomeinc.com.