Kendall Morris Freitas

Kendall Freitas passed away peacefully on August 13, 2022. He was born on May 16, 1935 to Rose and Willard at O’Connor Hospital in San Jose, California. Kenny lived in the Santa Clara Valley until 1997 and returned to the Valley in 2019. Known as Sonny to his family while growing up, he attended school in Santa Clara and graduated from Santa Clara High School in 1953.

Like many others growing up in the valley, Kenny and his younger brother, Jerry, spent their summers picking fruit in the local orchards. He also spent time in the summer helping out at his Aunt Alice’s ranch in Morgan Hill. After high school, Kenny enlisted in the US Army and eventually was stationed in Korea just as the Korean War ended. He served in Korea as a Heavy Equipment Driver until he was discharged in December, 1955. Upon his return to Santa Clara, he began working as a driver for his father and his business partner at Freitas and Chadwell Trucking. After a few unfortunate “incidents”, his father “encouraged” him to find a new career. Kenny chose working in glass replacement as a glazier. Also, during this time, he met Lois Wasserman in Santa Clara. They married in June, 1957 and began their lives in Santa Clara.

Known to friends and family as The Good Guy, Kenny was always fun to be around. He always had a great big smile, and his positive attitude was contagious. He could always be found helping friends and neighbors with whatever project they were working on.

Kenny loved spending times outdoors. He spent many of his weekends and vacations hunting and fishing. Some of his best times outdoors were spent at the duck club in Los Banos and in a boat on Lake Almanor.

In 1997, Kenny and Lois packed up the house on Denise Dr. And moved up to their cabin in Lake Almanor, CA. While they missed their Santa Clara friends and family, they loved their new lives in the mountains. Kenny spent his days working on the cabin, fishing on the lake or playing golf with his friends. It was the life he had always dreamed of.

Kenny is survived by his wife of 65 years, Lois, daughter Laurie Buzzell (Greg), son Woody (Lisa), grandchildren Joey and Lindsay, granddaughter-in-law Laurel Buzzell, great grandchildren Clayton and Tate Buzzell, and countless family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his grandson, Troy Buzzell.

A celebration of his life will be held October 13, 2022, 11:00am at Lima Family Santa Clara Mortuary. It will be followed by a luncheon at Fiorillo’s Restaurant. Please contact the family if you are planning to attend at [email protected].

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.limafamilysantaclara.com for the Freitas family.