Rest in Peace, sweet man

I write this today with a heavy heart. I'm sure many of you have seen me mention my grandfather in previous threads. Unfortunately, he passed just after midnight this morning.

Fernand Ernest Frechette was born July 17, 1920. He passed at the age of 99. He was an amazing man, always quick with a joke and the life of the party. But what always drew me to him was his heart. He was the kindest man I ever met. He was the type of man who would do anything for anybody, no questions asked.

He's now with my grandmother, who he loved dearly til the day she past in 2011. They were adorable, still flirting like a couple of kids in puppy love right up til the day she passed. They taught me about love and about family.
Pepere got his WWII draft papers they day after he married Memere. He was sent to the European front where he spent time in Belgium, Austria, Germany and France primarily. He fought under General Patton and was part of what would become known as "Patton's Ghost Corp". They were codebreakers and specialized in decoys and deception. They would build decoy armys, complete with inflatable and wooden tanks, equipment, tents, etc... Sound was even recorded and played over loud speakers. The Germans would find the camps, and attack, only to find out that the camp was a decoy, and American troops were just around the corner to swoop in and attack the Germans who fell for the rouse.
He would come home to his wife after the war and go to work and start a family. Just like all the other heroes who were "just doing their job".

He would go on to outlive his seven siblings, his wife and all his friends. He is survived by three children and seven grandchildren, as well as eight great-grandchildren.

I have included a picture of him from a few Father's Days ago. He was at my house celebrating Father's Day with four generations of Frechette boys, something truly special.
On this day he decided he was 97 years old and had never touched a snake. So "what the heck?". Here he is holding his first snake ever, my boy Django at the age of 97. It seemed like a fitting pic to share here.

You will be missed, Pepere. I love you. Rest in Peace, sweet man. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...3fdcdd8648.jpg

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So sorry Craig.

Glad you got to know him and be a positive force in his life, as I am sure he was to you.

I am sure this hurts.

Thinking of you, brother.

RIP Fernand.

My heart and prayers go out to you and your family.

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So sorry for your loss Craig. I've always enjoyed the pictures and stories about your grandpa. I'm sure he was a great man and will be missed by many. RIP Papa Frechette. 🙏🏽❤

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Originally Posted by dakski

So sorry Craig.

Glad you got to know him and be a positive force in his life, as I am sure he was to you.

I am sure this hurts.

Thinking of you, brother.

RIP Fernand.

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Thank you, Dave. He was the strongest, sweetest man I ever met. I'm damn lucky to say I'm his grandson, and even luckier I got 40 years with him. Man, I miss him so much already.

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Originally Posted by sur3fir3

My heart and prayers go out to you and your family.

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Thank you. I appreciate it.

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Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy

So sorry for your loss Craig. I've always enjoyed the pictures and stories about your grandpa. I'm sure he was a great man and will be missed by many. RIP Papa Frechette. 🙏🏽❤

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Thanks, Ziggy. I loved sharing his pictures and stories. I'm super proud to be his family and to share his bloodline and last name. He's the type of unforgettable man that everyone loved meeting, nobody who met him ever forget him, that's for sure! :)

Here are a few YouTube clips of him.

The first is a trailer for the book he was in titled "My Father's War". Many of the photos in the clip are his photos.

https://youtu.be/Dl1crIFx8jk

The second is an interview done by our local newspaper. It was filmed at his house, so it holds some sentimental value too.

https://youtu.be/IDWDj2ND52c


He's an American hero. Let's never forget this generation. The world would be a very different place without the sacrifices made by the men and women of "The Greatest Generation". They're all heroes.

My condolences Craig.

The only thing worse than the death of a loved one is the thought of not ever having known them in the first place. You are fortunate that he was in your life & I'm
quite sure he felt the same about you...I hope all the good memories will always give you some comfort. :grouphug:

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Originally Posted by MasonC2K

My condolences Craig.

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Thank you, Chris.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

The only thing worse than the death of a loved one is the thought of not ever having known them in the first place. You are fortunate that he was in your life & I'm
quite sure he felt the same about you...I hope all the good memories will always give you some comfort. :grouphug:

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Thank you Bogertophis. I definitely am one of the lucky ones.

So sorry to hear this very sad news craig

I too enjoyed seeing the updates with him Holding your snakes when you had family get togethers
The world would definitely be a different place if it wasn't for these brave soldiers who fought in these wars to give us the life's we all enjoy today


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My condolences on your loss. :(

And, as a european, my thanks to you grandfather and his cohorts for all they did for us. :salute:

You were very fortunate to have your grandfather in your life for so long and I am sure you have made some great memories that will live on.

Sorry for your loss.

Craig,

I know it hurts a lot right now. I've lost all my grandparents and my father, well before his time and suddenly when I was 25 (he dropped dead thanksgiving morning of a heart attack in 2005).

My paternal grandfather and I were very close, as I think I've mentioned. He helped me become the man I am today and I am forever grateful to have had him in my life for 36 years.

When he went, it was terrible. I lost a friend, a confidant, and a mentor. However, he was 97 and it was his time. I take solace in that and over time, I feel better about it. I remember all the good times and what he meant to me. No one can take that away.

I still struggle with my father's death as I never got to say goodbye and much of our lives we were at odds. He was a difficult person (not that I didn't contribute to the difficulties) and I am not 100% sure he knew how much I loved him despite that.

I hope he's looking down and knows I still miss him and always will.

You got to tell your Grandfather what he meant to you and he will be looking down on you and be proud of you and grateful for the time you and had on earth with him as well.

I want to say time heals all wounds, but although it helps, this one will probably leave a permanent mark.

Remember the good times, what a great person he was, and what you meant to each other. With time that, at least, will be easier.

Also know we are here for you and know, as much as we can, what you are going through.

Keep your chin up buddy.

David

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Originally Posted by dr del

My condolences on your loss. :(

And, as a european, my thanks to you grandfather and his cohorts for all they did for us. :salute:

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Thank you.

...and he would have looked you in the eye, shook your hand and said "you're welcome" and that he would do it again in a heartbeat if asked.

He actually just received a medal from France a few months ago. Forgive me, but I'm drawing a blank on the name of the medal, but anyway, it's the highest honor the nation of France gives to soldiers of foreign militaries.

It was really great to see him honored over 70 years later. It was a special day I'll never forget. He was a great man, I'm proud to be one of his.

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Originally Posted by richardhind1972

So sorry to hear this very sad news craig

I too enjoyed seeing the updates with him Holding your snakes when you had family get togethers
The world would definitely be a different place if it wasn't for these brave soldiers who fought in these wars to give us the life's we all enjoy today


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Thank you Richard.

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Originally Posted by Stewart_Reptiles

You were very fortunate to have your grandfather in your life for so long and I am sure you have made some great memories that will live on.

Sorry for your loss.

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Thank you, Deb. I've definitely got tons of great memories with him. He'll be missed, but never forgotten. I truly am lucky to have been given the time with him to create so many memories.

https://media1.tenor.com/images/690a...itemid=4572954


i'm sorry and i hope that u know that Pepere knew that u fought like hell for him. he loves and appreciate ya. may he rest and u take care in the that fact.

I'm so sorry for your loss. You have my deepest sympathy and condolences.

So sorry for your loss, glad you got to spend many years with him. 99 is an awesome age to reach. The pain you feel now will become happy memories. It'll always hurt but it gets better with time.

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Originally Posted by ballpythonluvr

I'm so sorry for your loss. You have my deepest sympathy and condolences.

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Thank you.

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Originally Posted by Valyndris

So sorry for your loss, glad you got to spend many years with him. 99 is an awesome age to reach. The pain you feel now will become happy memories. It'll always hurt but it gets better with time.

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Thank you. The memories are coming back already. Stuff I thought I had forgotten has resurfaced. I've caught myself chuckling out of nowhere a few times today as memories popped into my head. Hahahha.

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Originally Posted by Ax01

https://media1.tenor.com/images/690a...itemid=4572954


i'm sorry and i hope that u know that Pepere knew that u fought like hell for him. he loves and appreciate ya. may he rest and u take care in the that fact.

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Thanks my man. And thanks for the hug, I needed it! :)
I did fight, and my conscience is clear.
I can honestly say I know he's proud of me. Seven years ago I couldn't have said that. Life is beautiful, my friend.

Sorry for your loss Craig. I am thankful you are still here with us to miss him. I loved your stories and pics that you shared with us. He was truly an American hero. I pray for a quick healing in your time of grief.

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Originally Posted by Reinz

Sorry for your loss Craig. I am thankful you are still here with us to miss him. I loved your stories and pics that you shared with us. He was truly an American hero. I pray for a quick healing in your time of grief.

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Thank you, Reinz. I can't even tell you how important it is to me that he got to see me live clean and sober and present in his life. He's going to be missed. He was a special man.