Frederick Gist

Frederick Gist of Anson, Maine, and formerly of Jersey City, NJ, departed this world on May 2, 2022. He was born on August 28, 1963, to the late Whitney and Barbara Gist. Freddie was the youngest and certainly the liveliest of 5 siblings. As a youngster he spent considerable time in hospitals suffering from both asthma and eczema. Despite this, Freddie was always energetic and humorous, even entertaining hospital staff and visitors.

Freddie learned to tolerate his conditions and he attended Scared Heart Grammar School, eventually graduating from Ferris High School in Jersey City, NJ in 1981. While at school he played two years of varsity football. After graduation, Freddie was proud to work alongside his father for a few years at the Mobay Chemical Company in Haledon, NJ.

Freddie always enjoyed listening to a variety of music and he loved to dance! He was known among friends and family as the life of any party. He was also a very sharp dresser. Freddie loved good food and over the years, learned great cooking skills by spending time in the kitchen with his beloved Mom.

This talent led him to serve his community as a chef in various rehabilitation centers. In more recent years he worked for the faith-based Teen Challenge organization as a chef. It was there he met the love of his life, Susan, when she visited church on a day he was singing in the choir. They dated and were married in 2010. Before his final illness, he helped her operate her Veterans’ Boarding Home business.

The past year and a half were challenging times for the couple due to COVID separations and extensive hospitalizations. Despite these obstacles, Freddie found comfort in his walk with the Lord. He was able to attend church services thanks to the generosity of his church family providing him with transportation each Sunday. It meant so much to him to be in the sanctuary praising the Lord. He brought what he learned back to his rehabilitation facility and began to be a role model and spread the gospel to fellow residents. The staff would ask him to talk with other residents and encourage them not to give up, and to have faith in God. Not knowing his departure was coming, in his last days he was doing what we all should aspire to do, be a messenger for our Lord.

Freddie leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife Susan Picone; his son Malcolm Jamar Russell; grandsons Tyler, Matthew and Dylan Zing; and great grandson John Zing. Freddy was also the caring brother of Glenn Curry, Curtis Curry, Diana Gist, and the late Whitney Gist Jr. and brother-in-law of Alan Sleeper. He is also survived by an aunt, Margaret Brown, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Visiting hours for Freddie will be begin on Saturday, May 7 at 1 PM, with a service beginning at 2 PM at Smart and Edwards Funeral Home, 183 Madison Avenue in Skowhegan Maine. A burial will follow at Forest Hills Cemetery in Madison. At the family's request, masks are required while inside. Please visit www.SmartandEdwardsFH.com to share your condolences.