Tony "Wootsie" Frateschi

On Friday, October 11, 2024, the world lost its oldest teenager, Nelmo Anthony Frateschi Jr. - affectionately known as “Wootsie,” “Tony,” “Dad,” and “Papa” - while he was busy living his extraordinary and adventurous life.

Born on September 23, 1937, to Gertrude Baribault Frateschi and Nelmo Anthony Frateschi Sr. in Lewiston, Maine, Tony was the eldest son of six children. At 87 years young, he lived a life full of passion, generosity, and joy.

Tony attended Catholic schools throughout his early education, graduating from St. Dom’s High School in Lewiston in 1956. He went on to earn a bachelor's degree in mathematics from St. Michael’s College in Winooski, Vermont, in 1962. During high school, he joined the Navy Reserves and later paused his college studies for two years when called to active military duty, stationed in Newport, Rhode Island. Serving as a radio control operator aboard the U.S.S. Hale destroyer, he traveled throughout the Mediterranean—a service that filled him with immense pride.

Professionally, Tony achieved many accomplishments. He began as an actuarial student at Mass Mutual Life Insurance Company in Springfield, MA. Embracing the emerging era of computer technology, he took a bold step to change careers. He served as a Program Manager for Simplex Time Recorder in Gardner, MA, and later became the Chief Information Officer at Teknor Apex in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

As a devout Christian, Tony devoted his life to helping others before himself—always uplifting, supporting, and loving his family and friends. His positive influence was immeasurable, and his absence leaves a void in the hearts of all who knew him. With a contagious positive attitude and a loving, down-to-earth personality, Tony had the unique gift of making everyone feel like they were his favorite.

An accomplished athlete, Tony played nearly every sport imaginable and coached numerous basketball and Little League teams. As a father of four, he spent every spare moment playing with his children and the neighborhood kids, rain or shine. His "ultimate teenager spirit" was evident when, in the middle of winter, he would move all the living room furniture aside to play catch, help his kids practice balance for water skiing, or have his youngest son practice slap shots for hockey—sometimes resulting in a few broken windows.

A gifted water-skier, Tony only stopped skiing in his early 70s due to old football shoulder injuries. Growing up on Trip Lake in Poland, Maine, he taught himself and countless others how to water ski and use trick skis. As a teenager, he even skied behind a water airplane with his summer friends. At his camp on Tacoma Lake, he insisted on teaching everyone to ski; if someone couldn't learn, he'd put them on his shoulders while he skied around the lake. His talent was so renowned that he once skied as a guest at Cypress Gardens in Florida.

Tony's passions extended to boating and antique cars—he drove anything with an engine. A legend to his Canadian family, he drove cigarette boats in poker runs at the Thousand Islands in Canada and off the coast of Florida, continuing this thrilling pastime well into his 80s.

He will be forever missed by his loving partner, Elizabeth Pucci of Pompano Beach, FL; his former wife, Shirley Cloutier-Watson of Hubbardston, MA; his son, Peter Frateschi of Lewiston, ME; his daughter, Brenda Frateschi of Litchfield, ME; his daughter, Rhonda Frateschi-Maddelina and her husband, Anthony Maddelina, of La Quinta, CA; his son, Marc Frateschi, and daughter-in-law, Jaime Frateschi, of Jamestown, RI; his grandsons, Conor Drouin, Bailey Drouin (and fiancée Cierra St. Amand), William Lawrence and Marc Frateschi Jr; his beloved granddaughter, Brooke Frateschi; his great-grandsons, Landon and Charlie Drouin; his siblings, Nila (Forrest) Stickney, Ed (Dede) Frateschi, Sandra (Richard) Belanger, and Lisa (Bill) Karson; as well as many special cousins, nephews, nieces, and dear friends. Tony was predeceased by his sister, Lola Lawrence, and his parents, Gertrude and Nelmo Frateschi Sr.

Calling hours will be held at the Fortin & Pinette Group on Friday, October 18, 2024, from 2–4 PM and 6–8 PM. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Holy Cross Church at 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 19, 2024.

Arrangements are under the care of The Fortin & Pinette Group | 305 Alfred A Plourde Parkway Lewiston, ME 04240 | (207) 784-4023