Wilhelm Frederich Obituary

Wilhelm (Willi) August Frederich
Loving husband, father, father-in-law, uncle, grandpa, opa, poppop, great-grandfather, boss, scout leader, and friend to many, Wilhelm (Willi) August Frederich, went to be with Jesus early Friday morning, December 22, 2023.
As part of God's plan, Willi was born in Mannheim, Germany, on July 27, 1934, to August Otto Paul Frederich and Irma Katharina Emilie Klein Frederich. Growing up in Mannheim, Willi endured many obstacles, tragedies, and uncertainties due to the war. The life we saw him live never showed the struggles he faced growing up in his war-torn homeland. He wrote a book, "My Youth in Germany, 1934-1953", about his life before coming to America.
Introduced to the Boy Scouts by an American GI when he was 13, Willi lived life by the 10 Commandments, Scout Oath and Scout Law: Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent. He was proud to teach these values and even prouder to pin the Eagle Scout badge on all who earned it.
Leaving Germany in 1953 with only a few coins in his pocket, Willi was both sad and excited to see what the United States had to offer as he went to work on his family farm in upstate New York. While he loved the farm, an introduction to his future wife, Shirley (Bellemore), by his childhood friend Hella (Schurich), brought him to Connecticut.
After a stint in the U.S. Army, where he once stood guard with Elvis Presley, he returned to Connecticut where he started his career as a German-trained carpenter. Willi spent decades building and renovating homes and businesses throughout Hartford and Tolland Counties.
A proud Veteran, he loved the outdoors, laughing, traveling, running, bicycling, skiing, and mentoring. His birthday cards consistently exhibited his thoughtfulness and sense of humor. His travels brought him to every continent except Antarctica, and 50 years of participating in the Manchester Road Race and 13 years of running the Mount Washington Road Race demonstrated his enthusiasm for running.
The Hartford Saengerbund German Club, the cottage at Lake Wyola, the Shenipsit Striders running club, the annual pre-race-spaghetti supper, and Saturday night card games were just a few of his passions.
After retiring, Willi continued with his hobbies and even took up some new ones: enjoying programs offered at the Ellington Senior Center, curling on frozen lakes, golf, and weeklong, remote chess matches with Alex Cardoni.
Willi leaves behind his wife of 67 years, Shirley, the love of his life, and their children, Glen Frederich, Brian and Barbara Frederich, Lane and Julie (Frederich) Resnik; grandchildren, Anthony and Autumn (Frederich) Watkins, Joshua and Alice Frederich, Jeremy Frederich, Alex and Katrina Frederich, Megan and Ashley Resnik; great-grandchildren, Kayden and Aria Watkins, Harper and Norah Frederich, Ridgley and Riley Frederich.
Special mentions to best friends Tom and Dottie Curtiss, Martin and Hella Gough; in–laws, Robin Frederich, David and Ellie Bellemore, Norman and Karen Bellemore; nieces and nephews, Dennis and Susan (Trish) Bellemore, Bruce and Jill Haber, Christopher and Melissa Gough, Bob and Jennifer Wright.
To list everyone else who touched his life and those he touched would require another memoir. Willi lived a full life.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Scout Troop 96, Ellington, CT, where Willi spent most Monday nights for over 50 years. Send to: Ellington Boy Scout Troop 96, C/O Doug Stratoudakis – Scout Master, 39 Newell Hill Road, Ellington, CT 06029.
Visiting Hours will be 4-6 p.m. on Friday, December 29, 2023, with service beginning promptly at 6:00 p.m. at the Burke-Fortin Funeral Home, 76 Prospect Street, Vernon, Connecticut 06066. For online condolences please visit: www.pietrasfuneralhome.com