James Alan Fredette

James Alan “Jim” Fredette, 62, of Westmoreland, died on Sunday, April 19, 2015 at the Cancer Treatment Center of America, in Philadelphia, PA after a long illness. He was surrounded by his loving family and a caring staff.

He was born in Keene, NH, on March 16, 1953, the son of Hazel A. (Forbes) Dunlap. He attended local schools and was a 1971 graduate of Keene High School.

He married his high school sweet heart, Maureen T. Thomas in a ceremony at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Brattleboro just 3 days after his high school graduation. They enjoyed 43 years of happy marriage together. He was a Beloved husband, a loving Dad, Grandfather, Uncle, Brother, and friend.

He was a hard worker, and worked for many local business’s over the years, such as: Homestead Woolen Mills, Giant store, Brook’s Drug Store, Avalite Industries, for PEPSI Cola Co over in Brattleboro and as a car salesman, before settling down with his wife and becoming owner/ operators of “That’s Italian” in Keene for many years and later “Jimmy’s Family Fun Center” on Rt. 12 in Westmoreland. Most recently he was employed with the Cheshire County Facilities Department at Maplewood Nursing Home.

He was an active member of Keene’s Loyal Order of Moose, Lodge # 478, serving in various offices as well as its Governor for 2 terms; he also earned his Fellowship Degree. In younger days he played for the Brattleboro Softball League as a pitcher for the PEPSI sponsored team. He was a communicant of the Parish of the Holy Spirit in Keene.

His favorite pastime was spending time with his family, playing Saturday night card games, a family tradition from the past that has been handed on to the future generations. Hobbies included wood working, fishing, dancing, camping and of course, cards. He had a long time love of dogs, owning many over the years.

He is survived by his loving wife, of 43 years, Maureen T. Fredette of Westmoreland; his children: Kathleen Tremblay and her husband Todd of Keene, Joseph Fredette and his wife Diana of Swedesboro, NJ, Jennifer Matthews and her husband Jeffrey of Westmoreland, Andrew Fredette of Keene, and Mary Meyer and her husband Donald of Stoddard; 12 grandchildren: Ryan Fredette and his wife Faith, Bethany Fredette, Allyson Fredette, Jordan Fredette, Jacob Matthews, Zachary Matthews, Anthony Fredette, Alexis Fredette, Ashton Fredette, Chloe Meyer, Donald Meyer and Rebecca Meyer; 2 great grandchildren: Destiny Fredette and Ava Fredette; a sister: Barbara Wesley of Walpole, NH as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins and all the other children that fondly referred to him as “Dad” or “Papa Jim”. He was predeceased by his mother: Hazel Dunlap and his sisters: Lila Conway and Hazel Fredette.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, April 24, 2015, at St Margaret Mary Church, 33 Arch St, Keene. Calling Hours will be held from 5:00 until 7:00 at the Fletcher Funeral Home, on Thursday, April 23, 2015. Burial will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, it is requested that memorial donations be made, in Jim Fredette’s name, to The Gateway for Cancer Research (www.GatewayCR.org), 1336 Basswood Rd, Schaumburg, IL 60173.

Fletcher Funeral Home & Cremation Services (www.fletcherfuneralhome.com ), 33 Marlboro St, Keene, NH 03431 has been entrusted with the arrangements.