Freije, Fred COHOES
Fred Freije, 87, of Saratoga Street, died peacefully on Monday, February 4, 2013 at St. Peter's hospital. Fred was the son of the late Fred and Mary (Ferris) Freije. He was born in Troy and educated at St. Mary's. He moved to Cohoes in 1937. He worked with his father who owned the Big Value Market on Remsen Street. He joined the Navy and served his country during World War II. He returned from the service in 1946 and worked at the family's new Big Value Supermarket on Columbia St. in Cohoes. Later, he worked to open a second and larger Big Value Supermarket in Waterford. He became president of those markets and of Freije Holding Company, Inc. He recently completed renovations to his last business project, 640 Center, on Route 9 in Latham. He was a member of the Cohoes Knights of Columbus, Watervliet American Legion, Cohoes Loyal Order of Moose and the Moose Bowling League for over 50 years. He was a communicant of Holy Trinity Church in Cohoes. Fred traveled extensively and vacationed throughout the world. His favorite destination in recent years was Atlantic City where he was well known for his shrewd play and gamesmanship. His uncanny head for numbers gave him an edge at the tables. Fred had a keen wit and a wonderful sense of humor. He was a true gentleman and an outstanding brother to his siblings, great friend to his friends and caring uncle to his nieces and nephews. He will be missed by all those who knew him. Fred was predeceased by brothers, George, Philip, Charles and Joseph Freije; sisters, Margaret and Mary Freije and Theresa Freije Luke. He is survived by his nieces and nephews, Barbara Freije Preston of Albany and Fred Freije of Troy, William F. Luke, Jr. of Latham, Ann Marie Luke Ballard of Latham and Charles F. Luke of Lake George. He is also survived by many grand and great-grandnieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 8 at 8:30 a.m. from the Marra Funeral Home, Cohoes and 9 a.m. at Holy Trinity Church where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Relatives and friends are invited and may call at the funeral home on Thursday, February 7 from 5 to 7 p.m. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Troy. The family would like to thank the staff of Emeritus at Colonie Manor and the Hospice Inn at St. Peter's for their kind and professional care of Fred in his time of need.
source: Troy Record & Times Union
