Alfred Lester Wilson

By Krystal Grow

Freddie Wilson taught me how to fish, how to cook, and that with patience and hard work, you can grow enough food in your backyard to feed a family. He was on a first-name basis with every egret in Port Charlotte, Florida, and in Hough’s Neck, he was a local legend.

Freddie Wilson passed away on December 7, 2017 after suffering a heart attack at the Brookdale Senior Community in Quincy. He leaves behind generations of city kids, who because of him, now know the difference between a striped bass and a cod, how to haul a lobster trap, grow a garden, and build a fence. The father of four daughters, Shelley Wilson, Teri Tallent, Ginny Wilson-Canney, and Kim Cruz. and three step daughters, Laura Elkins, Jackie Dahill, and Tami Richter, grandfather of nine, TJ Dahill, James Dahill, Stephen D’Alessandro, Krystal Grow, Amanda Pajaro, Gabi Pajaro, Jeremy Canney, Sylvia Canney, and Paul Elkins, and great-grandfather of two, Tommy Dahill and Alice Elkins. Survived by siblings Ricky Wilson, Laura Wilson, and George Wilson, and many, many nieces and nephews. Freddie is also survived by his second wife, Marion. Lovingly together for over 40 years, Marion and Fred built a life for themselves and for their family from their home on Turner Street, Houghs Neck, where there was always an open invitation and room for more at the table, whether it was Thanksgiving, Christmas, or just another long week at work or at home with the kids.

Freddie was a fence builder and woodworker by trade, a fisherman, a clam digger, a gardender, a cook, and beloved Neckka forever.

As committed to his faith as he was to his family, Freddie was a longtime, dedicated soldier in the Salvation Army. He was certified in their Disaster Response team as well as a friendly kettle bell ringer. He shared his time and talents with warmth and generosity, hosting arts and crafts workshops for kids, cooking meals for after school programs and the elderly. Coordinating transportation to and from Sunday services over the years, he gave hundreds of people the opportunity to celebrate their faith alongside their friends and loved ones.

A former commodore of the Quincy Yacht Club, member of Harvey’s Saltwater Fishing Club - where he also managed a Junior Fishermen’s Club - Freddie was a man of the sea. He had a deep respect for the environment, admiration of nature, and love of animals. Those of us lucky enough to take long boat rides with him, whether cruising around Quincy Bay or zipping along the canals of West Florida, were treated to our own, personal, National Geographic-style nature tour, with goofy jokes and tall tales thrown in for good measure (he was a fisherman, after all).

I’m one of Freddie’s granddaughters and was digging clams on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean as a toddler. At twelve, I could catch my weight in striped bass. By the time I was a teenager I cracked lobster claws so ruthlessly that my first boyfriends were immediately intimidated. As an adult, I understand the sense of pride and satisfaction that comes from catching your own dinner, and sharing it with the people you love. I’ve known

how to feed myself for over 30 years now, but my Pa taught me, and all of us - so much more than how to fish.

A full memorial service for Freddie Wilson will be held at 1pm at the Salvation Army, Quincy, Baxter & Elm, followed immediately by a celebration of life at the Quincy Yacht Club, Hough’s Neck. All are welcome to both.