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Diocese mourns death of "Fr. Fred"

January 05, 2000

Traverse City -- Father Edwin J. Frederick died Tuesday, January 4, 2000 surrounded by those who loved him. He was 74 and had been suffering with cancer these past few months. "Father Fred" was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on April 17, 1925. He attended Sacred Heart Elementary School and Saint Joseph Seminary in Grand Rapids; and Sacred Heart Seminary, Detroit, and the Grand Siminaire de Montreal. He was ordained at Saint Andrew Cathedral in Grand Rapids on June 3, 1950, by Bishop Francis J. Haas. His early priestly appointments were as Assistant Priest at Sacred Heart, Mt. Pleasant; Saint Joseph, Manistee; and Saint Michael in Muskegon. He then moved to Traverse City and became Chaplain at the Traverse City State Hospital on June 16, 1959. He concurrently served as Chaplain for the Carmelite Sisters in Traverse City. On February 17, 1968 he was named Mental Health Chaplain Supervisor at the State Hospital. He remained in this appointment until 1989 when All Faiths Chapel at the Traverse City State Hospital was closed. Father Fred was appointed Pastor at Saint Joseph of Mapleton Parish, Traverse City, in March, 1990. He retired to Senior Priest status on August 1, 1996. In addition to these assignments, Father Fred was elected Vicar of the West Central Region and served from 1974 to 1978. He was a long-term member on the Diocesan Priests' Retirement Board, serving since 1979. Fr. Fred was a well known figure in the Traverse City area to people of all faiths. Through his compassionate ministry at the State Hospital in Traverse City and then by leading the Fr. Fred Foundation and its volunteers in a mission to listen, care and share, Fr. Fred helped thousands of individuals and families who had "fallen through the cracks" throughout Northwestern Michigan. The news of Father Fred's death brings both sorrow and joy to priests, sisters and laypeople throughout the Diocese of Gaylord. There is real sorrow because a person who has done wonderful things has left us. But there is also a sense of joy and happiness. Bishop Patrick Cooney stated, "Father Fred not only heard, but visibly put into practice the ‘great commandment.' He knew that everyone was his brother or sister and treated them accordingly. No better statement can be said about anyone." Father Frederick will lie in state at Saint Francis Church, 1025 S. Union, Traverse City, on Wednesday with visitation from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. There will be a Rosary and Tribute at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday. There will also be visitation at the church on Thursday from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. with a Vigil for the Deceased at 7:00 p.m. The Funeral Mass is scheduled for 12:00 noon on Friday at Saint Francis Church. A luncheon will be served in the Saint Francis School Gymnasium following the Funeral Mass. Burial will be at Saint Joseph Cemetery in a private service Friday afternoon.