Maurice Frechette
On December, 27th, 2024, the Good Lord took our Dad (Joseph) Maurice Frechette into his arms. He was 93 years old and died peacefully at his daughter’s home, in Tupper Lake, NY after a long illness.
Maurice was born February 10,1931 in Tupper Lake. He was the son of Octave and Courena (Lefebvre) Frechette. He grew up in Tupper Lake and graduated from Holy Ghost Academy and majored in Architectural Engineering at RPI in Troy, NY.
Maurice married the love of his life, Joan Decheine on January 28,1952 who predeceased him in 2023, but not before they celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. They raised 9 children, all surviving, Mary (Jim Radimer), of Florida/Idaho, Claire (Wayne Temmen) of New Hampshire, John (Lynn Lavalley) of New Berlin, NY, Jane (Shawn Larkin) of Tupper Lake, Thomas of Florida, Julie (Chris Miller) of California, Richard (Laurie Colston) of Colorado, Tracy (Stuart Darrah) of Bloomingdale, and Jesse (Joe Salvatore) of Pennsylvania. He is also survived by 16 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Maurice operated MJF Construction, an accomplished commercial general contractor in the region. He built several schools, churches, hospitals and other buildings in New York and Vermont. Notable local construction projects included the Elizabethtown Hospital and Essex County office, Sydney and Beekmantown High Schools, buildings on the Utica and Clarkson campuses, Camp Guggenheim, Camelot and the Tupper Lake High School addition. After the TLHS job, work took him out west and they moved to Tucson Arizona where they lived and worked for several years. When in Tucson, he worked for major firms doing estimating for large jobs in the area. He knew he would return to Tupper Lake once he retired, as it was always “home”. After a few more relocations including Albany NY, Rochester, Maine and Hawaii, he and his wife returned to their hometown in Tupper Lake.
Maurice was involved in the Tupper Lake community, serving as Village Trustee and on the Tupper Lake Country Club board. He was also a member of the bricklayers union. He enjoyed golfing, bowling, snowmobiling, waterskiing and horseshoes, and tending to his landscaping. He enjoyed family time and special trips with the family, and was a great father and provider. He was a very generous and giving person, not only to family members, but to people in need and charity organizations with a soft spot for the Native American people. Later in life, he enjoyed cooking and took over those “duties” and made the best lasagna that he loved to share with family.
He is predeceased by his siblings, Rita (Peets), Marcel, and Lauretta (Thatcher). A private service will be held to celebrate Maurice’s life. Friends wishing to honor him may consider a donation to High Peaks Hospice or to the Tupper Lake EMS Rescue Squad.