Rocky Freda: A Friend And Sportsman’s Advocate Will Be Greatly Missed
August 17, 2009
There are so many cliches that are used when someone unexpectedly passes on. Nearly all of them are fitting for my good friend Rocky Freda. Rocky and his wife Lisa, were dedicated advocates for outdoor sportsmen all over the state of Maine and beyond. Rocky died suddenly last week and the news that came to me that morning left me in shock, speechless and deeply saddened.
I had spent two months this summer at our camp in Maine, only a few miles from Rocky’s home and business. I had spent a day with him and Lisa working on their web site, always having a good laugh. What great people.
The day before my wife and I headed back to Florida, I dropped in to Rocky’s to pick up a video he wanted added to his web site. When I arrived, Rocky was finishing up loading a van and trailer full of canoes and kayaks and was headed for the river. He yelled as he drove away, “I left that video with Lisa in the office!” Those will be the last words I remember and of course the big smile on his face.
As I sat here at my home in Florida, I struggled to find any focus. My mind drifted, overcome with sadness, concern for Lisa and the rest of the family. We can never prepare for these things and when they happen we can only seek the comfort of friends, family and God.
My mind traveled back to a day many years ago. My wife and I were managing the River View Resort on Rt. 2 in Bethel. Rocky came knocking at my door and introduced himself. He was real, warm, enthusiastic and a thinker. I doubt his mind ever stopped working, not only constructing for himself a better life, a better business, but it had to also fit into the grand scheme of things that included all of us. Rocky understood how things worked and that included everyone in his community.
“Only the good die young”, “Has anybody here seen my old friend Rocky? Can you tell me where he’s gone?”
I’ll miss you my good friend! You’ve left a void in my life.
Rocco R. Freda – 1949 – 2009
NORWAY —Rocco R. “Rocky” Freda, 60, husband of Lisa (Whitcomb) Freda, of Sunday River Road, Bethel, died unexpectedly Friday, Aug. 14, in Norway.
He was born in Leominster, Mass., on Jan. 27, 1949, the son of Rocco and Alberta (Leet) Freda, and graduated from Leominster High School, Leominster, Mass., in 1967.
Rocky came to Maine in the mid 70s to work for Agway, running a fertilizer plant in Auburn, and later trained as a dairy nutritionist and crop specialist working at Agway until 1994. He later guided caribou hunts in Canada for Lac Lucault for two years, then opened Sun Valley Sports & Guide Service in 1995 which he was running until his death.
Rocky was a master Maine Guide, a former member of the Bethel Planning Board, president of the Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce in 2005 and on the board of directors for seven years, current president of Trout Unlimited and also the Upper Andro Anglers Alliance. Lisa and Rocky received the Governor’s Conference on Tourism Award for Excellence in Tourism for commitment to innovation.
Rocky is survived by his wife of 15 years, Lisa (Whitcomb) Freda, of Bethel; his mother, of Norway; one son, Corey Freda and his wife, Jill, and their three children, Justin, Chelsea and Caleb, all of Leeds; as well as two nieces and five nephews.
Rocky was predeceased by his father; and one brother, Stephen.
Tom Remington
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Sorry Tom.. I know the feeling to well..
My condolences as well, Tom….may he accomplish as much there as he did here…
My very best to all. It is sad news and stikes to the core for losses such as these.
Each day another thot for your friend will come and go. Linger long in this short time to reflect. God bless, Tom and family.
Hi Tom;
We just finished 5 years of running Bethel Camp for the Arts at Gould Academy. We are moving our summer camp to Unity College and have a new name (Maine Arts Camp). We worked with Rocky and Lisa for all 5 years. Quality people, to say the least. Rocky was a thoughtful guy, had a great smile and a good heart. We hope to continue a working relationship with Sun Valley Sports, even after our move. That had been the plan and I feel even stronger now about honoring Rocky. He will be missed.
I was his neighbor. Rocky was a self-taught, salt of the earth fellow and tell it like it is man’s man.
One day shortly after I moved in, my elaborate underground irrigation system was not working; and Rocky appeared out of nowhere holding a sprinkler ready to help me. Over the next few years each conversation with him resulted in always a smile, a kind word and he never left you without a compliment, he loved his life, his wife and he supported his community to the greatest level. He loved to throw ideas at you and talk about the right way. He was always thinking of ways to better his everything. As I drove down the street today I also mentioned the words to myself The Good Die Young.
ROCKY; God Bless you my friend I will miss you.