Frederick J. Grondin ’47

SACO — Frederick John “Buffer” Grondin, 86, of Saco, passed away after a brief illness, early Thursday afternoon on Sept. 25, 2014, at his residence.

He was born in Biddeford on Dec. 16, 1927, a son of Arthur and Hannah (Coffey) Grondin.

Fred graduated from Biddeford High School, Class of 1945. He graduated from Maine Maritime Academy in 1947 and received a bachelor’s of science in industrial technology from the University of Southern Maine in 1986.

Fred served his apprenticeship at Saco Lowell from 1949 to 1953. He was employed by Saco Lowell/Saco Defense for more than 40 years, retiring in 1989.

He was a member of the Elks Lodge, Biddeford Saco Country Club and Society of Manufacturing Engineers.

Mr. Grondin was a parishioner of Most Holy Trinity Church in Saco.

Fred was a family man. His kindness, honesty and genuine nature always made people feel welcomed. His impact on his grandchildren was profound, and it stretched beyond his children to all their friends and the immediate family. He enjoyed his golf gang and winter poker games at the country club. He will be truly missed by many.

He was preceded in death by: his wife of 60 years, Johan (MacIntosh) Grondin, for whom his love was endless; and two sisters, Pauline Willet and Phyllis Granger.

He is survived by: his children, Johanna C. Kerry and her husband Richard, Marsha A. Kimball and her husband Lawrence, Frederick J. Grondin Jr. and his wife Pamela, Barbara J. Boutin and her husband Donald, John A. Grondin and Jennifer Kerry, and Joel M. Grondin and his wife Darcy; one brother, Joseph A. Grondin; ; 14 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and 17 nieces and nephews, who meant the world to him.

A graveside service will be at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 29 at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Saco. Arrangements are by Cote Funeral Home, Saco. To sign the guestbook or leave condolences, go to www.cotefuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Frederick J. Grondin Scholarship at Maine Maritime Academy, c/o Development Office, 1 Pleasant St., Castine, ME 04420.