Jean "Mike" Frenette

Born in New Bedford, MA on July 27, 1928 to Alfred and Nora Norton Frenette. Mike passed away on December 5, 2014 after a 2 year struggle with Lewy Body Dementia. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Jeanne, children Mick (Julie Thompson), Robin Williams (Ron), Jeff Frenette, Cindy Frenette (mother of two grandsons). 7 grandchildren, Chris Frenette, Alison Horn (Greg), Kevin Frenette, Mandy Williams, Matt Williams, Michael Frenette , John Frenette and one very special great granddaughter, Sadie Horn that would ALWAYS put a smile on his face, right up until his passing. Mike served in the Navy as Carpenters Mate Third Class from December 1944 through February 1946. Dad and Mom were married on August 25, 1951. 63 loving years together. Dad early on served as a volunteer fireman and taught obedience dog training in Fairhaven while working as a machinist for the Continental Screw Co. In 1959, after 9 years employment, dad had a better job opportunity at Lockheed Missiles and Space in California. We moved out to California to the house they are still residing in. Dad retired from Lockheed in 1986 as a Manager. He loved his family and we sure loved him. He was great at making wooden toys and furniture for us kids and then more for the grandkids. We celebrated all the birthdays with a party. Dad would have a game planned out for us to compete in. Darts, bean bag toss; golf and magic tricks were some of the most popular. Dad loved being involved in all sorts of activities. He was a Square Dance caller for 3 dance clubs from 1963 – 1971. He loved ballroom dancing with mom, they were really great together. You could always find dad in the garage with a woodworking project. Mom and dad went on many trips, traveling all over by land and sea. Camping, reading, writing poems, fishing in New England and of course, playing cards were some more of his hobbies. When we first started out camping the family slept in the car. Mom, Dad in the trunk, and the kids on the bench seats inside. We graduated to a tent, then later on a trailer and ending up with a motorhome. They belonged to a couple of camping groups and seemed to be gone on trips more than they were at home! They traveled to various countries with Uncle Harold and Pearl. There were too many cruises to count; the last cruise was just a couple of months before dad ended up in the hospital. They also took a month long vacation each year to Hawaii with Uncle Harold and Pearl, not a bad way to live. Dad loved all his grandchildren very much. The grandkids were really involved in sports and mom and dad went to almost every game. Gramps was known for giving dollars out for goals, baskets and various other reasons. The grandkids also got money from Gramps along with the tooth fairy. The grandkids always showed him their loose teeth. Once they came out…..another dollar! Mom and Dad went to all three college graduations for the grandkids. Road trip to Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo for Alison. A Longer road trip up to Eugene for Matt’s graduation at University of Oregon. For Mandy’s graduation in Connecticut, things worked out nicely since they were already in Massachusetts visiting our East Coast relatives. The grandkids always went to do the Halloween trick or treating in Grandma and Gramps neighborhood, Dad always wanted to eat the Snickers out of the kid’s loot. A trip to Wiskeytown Lake each summer. Pack up the family, sometimes just the grandkids and off they would go to spend a week. Mom and Dad would sit for hours in the backyard in front of the fireplace dad built. It could be cold, or it could be in the summer heat, but they sat there. They would talk and plan their upcoming trips and family matters. Most of all when I think of Dad I remember all his love for us, but also how full of fun he was. He was the life of the party, always had a story or a corny joke to tell. “Let me make a long story short”……..but they were always long anyways! He hugged, kissed or shook hands with everyone who came into or left his house. think I shall miss his hugs the most. He is now at peace and his love & humor will stay with us forever. A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, January 3, 2015 at 12PM at Queen of Apostles Church, 4911 Moorpark Avenue, San Jose, California 95129.