Clifford Freamo

Clifford Joseph Freamo (2 February 2002(2002-02-02) (aged 75)), known as Cliff, was a plumber and longtime resident of the Current River area of Thunder Bay. He was the husband of the registered nurse Pauline Freamo (née Crabbe) and a son-in-law of Matthew Crabbe and Marie Josephine Crabbe.

Early life

Freamo was born on 5 January 1927 in Espanola, Ontario, a son of Ferdinand and Cecilia Freamo. At the age of four he moved with his family to Port Arthur, settling in the Current River area. He attended St. Theresa's Roman Catholic School and learned the plumbing trade at L.A. Greene Plumbing.

Career

Freamo worked as a plumber and was employed for thirty-two years at the Abitibi Provincial Mill, retiring in 1987. After retiring, he and Pauline travelled, including trips to Arizona and a train journey across western Canada.

Personal life

On 7 April 1956, Cliff Freamo married Mary Pauline Crabbe (1932–2011) at St. Andrew's Roman Catholic Church. The couple settled in the Current River area, living on Hodder Avenue for over 50 years, and had four children: Fred (Joyce), Jolynn (Dave Chunick), Bonnie (Bob Perreault), and Virginia "Ginny" Merritt (Bradley). At the time of his death he had eight grandchildren—Teri, Cheryl, Kris and Jessica Chunick; Becki and Corey Merritt; Shane Freamo and Kristen Perrault—and five great-grandchildren.

Freamo had four sisters: Mary Sippola, Cecile Cehovin, Theresa Lachaine, and Thelma Eckman. He was predeceased by his brothers-in-law Bill Sippola and Larry Eckman.

A keen sportsman, Freamo played hockey in his early years and followed the National Hockey League. He bowled with the Provincial Mill ten-pin mixed league for twenty years and enjoyed fishing, horseshoes, and tending his garden and yard. He also fed the birds and deer, keeping peanuts on hand for the neighbourhood chipmunks and squirrels.

Death

Freamo died in his sleep on 2 February 2002 at the Thunder Bay Regional Hospital, aged 75, predeceasing his wife Pauline, who died in 2011. His funeral was held on 6 February 2002 at the Chapel of Harbourview Funeral Centre, officiated by Rev. Randy Boyd of Trinity United Church, with interment at Sunset Memorial Gardens.