ALFRED SILVA FRADE
Alfred Silva Frade, age 86, died September 12, 2024 at Joanne’s House at Hope Hospice. Born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, a son of the late Jose and Angelina (Ponte) Frade, he lived in Massachusetts most of his life and for the past 8 years he resided in Country Creek in Estero, Florida. He was employed as an electrician in the Building Department for the City of New Bedford for 19 years before his retirement on disability. Alfred served in the Army as Military Police in South Korea during the Vietnam War.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Michelle Kathleen Frade; his brother, Antonio S. Frade; and his sister, Dorothy S. Frade. Survivors include his wife, Janice M. Frade; son, Kenneth J Frade and daughter-in-law Djiny Frade of Berkley, Massachusetts; a brother, Joseph S. Frade of New Bedford, Massachusetts; as well as three grandchildren, Ryan Cody Frade, Jarren Jeffrey Frade and Kerrie Michelle Frade; great granddaughter, Zarielle Frade; great grandson, Luca Frade; sister- in-law Gale and brother-in-law Jon Malita.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Friday, September 20, 2024 at Our Lady of Light Catholic Community, 19680 Cypress View Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33967.
BARBARA LEE LITZEN
April 16, 1937 – June 7, 2024
Barbara (Lee) Litzen, 87, of Estero, FL, and previously Sandwich, MA, died peacefully at her home on June 7, 2024. Barbara was well known for her energetic personality and upbeat, can-do approach to life.
Born and raised in So. Weymouth, MA, her father was the local community doctor. This likely provided the training ground for her lifelong dedication to lifting up those around her. She attended both middle and high school at Thayer Academy in Braintree, MA, graduating in 1955. There, not surprisingly, she was a member of the school’s Cheerleading Squad. She remained active in Alumni Affairs, events, and class communications and gatherings throughout her life, including attending many Thayer Days held during the Red Sox Spring Training games in Ft. Myers, FL. In 1959, she graduated from UMASS-Amherst, where she was a member of the Chi Omega sorority and met Donald Litzen, her loving husband of 64 years.
Married in 1960, the two began their teaching careers right out of college, Barbara instructing students in Home Economics at Abington H.S. for more than 25 years. In 1976, the couple moved to Sandwich, MA, where Barbara brought her vast knowledge and experience to the retail food industry. Her seafood recipes were in especially high demand.
Upon their retirement in 1998, Barbara and Don moved to Country Creek in Estero, FL, and became instantly active in their new community. For many years, she served as the volunteer Chair of the Country Creek Social Committee and was responsible for planning all of the community’s events and activities throughout the year, including fashion shows, group travel, dinners, dances, and more. She was also actively involved in the large-scale renovation of the organization’s clubhouse and facilities. In 2016, Barbara was presented with the Country Creek Service Award in honor of her many contributions to the community throughout the years.
Barbara was a tireless and devoted wife, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend to many, and her sparkle, energy, and infectious laugh will be greatly missed.
Barbara is survived by her husband, Donald Litzen, and nearly a dozen nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, Dr. Philip and Edith Lee of Weymouth, MA; her brother Donald and his wife Reka of Maryland; and her brother Norman. Her sister-in-law Mary Jane of Ohio survives her.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Barbara’s memory to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or a charity of your choosing.
Online condolences may be offered by visiting: http://www.ShikanyFuneralHome.com.
DOROTHY HALEY
Long time resident Dorothy Haley passed away on September 7 at the age of 101. She was the mother of former resident Ro Lambert. Services were held at Our Lady of Light Catholic Community on September 18.
KATHLEEN A. CLINTON
Kathleen A. “Kathy” (Gould) Clinton, 79, a longtime resident of Framingham, MA, formerly of Mashpee, MA and Estero, FL, died Monday, September 23, 2024 at home with her daughters by her side. Born in New Bedford, she was the daughter of the late Arnold W. & Katherine A. (Connor) Gould, and the beloved wife of the late John A. “Jack” Clinton.
Family and friends honored and remembered Kathleen’s life by gathering in the McCarthy, McKinney & Lawler Funeral Home on Monday, October 7. Her Funeral Mass was celebrated on Tuesday, October 8 in St. Bridget Church, Framingham. Interment followed in St. Stephen Cemetery.
MARK TIMOTHY FETTER
Mark Timothy Fetter, 71, of Toledo, IA passed away unexpectedly Thursday, October 3, 2024 in Tama, IA while doing one of his favorite things, golfing.
Visitation and Celebration of Mark’s life was held Wednesday, October 9, 2024 at Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home in Tama. There was a time of sharing following the Visitation that evening.
RICHARD ALLEN BARTON
Richard Allen Barton of Candlewood Hollow and Burr Ridge, Illinois, passed on Sunday, August 4, at Gulf Coast Medical Center. He was diagnosed with a terminal lung disease, Pulmonary Fibrosis, 7 years ago. A seasonal resident, Rich enjoyed his time in Country Creek playing golf and tennis and attending events and evening dinners with his martini at our clubhouse. With a civil engineering degree from the University of Illinois, he started his career with a national steel company as the field commander in North Dakota responsible for making sure the doors of the Minuteman missile silos were properly installed and balanced. From there he was a construction engineer on the John Hancock Center and First National Bank building in Chicago, and in New York, the World Trade Center and the General Motors Building. Later, he spent many years building bridges and roads in Illinois. After striking out on his own, he formed a bridge building company and a property management and acquisition company.
Rich was a member of the Rotary Club of Hinsdale, Illinois where he served as club president and was a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow and member of the Rotary Arch Klumph Society. He was a member of the Willowbrook Burr Ridge Kiwanis Club and also enjoyed sailing his boat on Lake Michigan for many years. Rich enjoyed attending the FGCU men’s and women’s basketball games and was an Eagles Club member and major donor to the athletic department. Also of special interest was St. Jude’s, where he was a member of the Danny Thomas–St. Jude Society.
His wife, Jane Hopson, will have a Celebration of Life at VCC in the Fall.
RONALD MEDEK
Ronald (Ron) Medek, age 75 of Estero, FL, formerly of Lockport, IL passed away peacefully on October 15, 2024 in Estero, FL. He was born at Silver Cross Hospital in Joliet, IL on February 26, 1949 to the late Margaret (Axelson) and John Medek. Ron is survived by his loving wife, Sharon (Katilavas) Medek, two children, Robert (Biljana) Medek of Clarendon Hills, IL and Karen and Matthew Rice of Palm Bay, FL. Karen and Matt have three children (Margaret, Daphne and Owen) who loved their Papa. The Medek families have also loved their dogs and the tradition continues in every household.
Ron spent his entire 45 year career in the wholesale and retail automotive industry working for manufacturers, dealers and retail distributors, and retired for medical reasons in 2012. Ron loved to fix things and “tinker” with anything. He also loved music of all kinds from Classical to Rock and enjoyed playing the keyboard in his later years. Cremation rites were performed and a private memorial service was held.
