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Roland Damase “Dave” Frechette, 1935-2019

Dave passed peacefully at the age of 84 at home in Temperance, Michigan, after a battle with cancer.

Dave was born in Rhode Island to Theresa L. and Damase J. Frechette. He graduated from Sacred Heart Academy and went on to serve in the US Air Force from 1953-1961, during which he was stationed in French Morocco as a specialist in International Morse Code and flew SAC missions from Seoul to Tokyo.

In 1963 Dave moved to Detroit, Michigan where he worked as maintenance foreman at the Chrysler Corporation for 10 years. He then relocated to Temperance, Michigan to pursue an entrepreneurial career in the Hospitality Industry. Over the next 27 years, Dave built his career as owner in the Hotel-Motel Industry around Michigan.

Dave enjoyed working and volunteering in his community. He helped establish the Bedford Business Association (BBA) in 1982 where he served as president, during which time he developed, grew and became emcee of the BBA’s Trade Fair up until 2016. He served on boards for The Southeast Travel & Tourism Association, The Monroe County Chamber of Commerce and Bedford Township Economic Development Committee. He was a member of the American Hotel-Motel Association, Michigan Lodging Association, past president of Bedford Township Lions Club and the Monroe Golf and Country Club.

A meaningful accomplishment for Dave, was when he led a telethon fundraiser for a local 7-year-old boy, who needed a liver transplant. Through Dave’s leadership and the BBA and community raised over $100,000 in two days. And within 3 months, a successful transplant took place.

Dave started Toltoy Inc., when he and a buddy invented an incentive, the Amazing Space Pet, which was introduced on the David Letterman Show and even made the trip to space with an astronaut and in Discovery Ctrs. across America.

Retiring from the hospitality industry in 1998, he wouldn’t sit still for long. Dave started helping a dear friend and owner by filling in at Coyle Funeral Home. He worked part-time for the next 15 years.

Dave’s friends and family will remember him as an active, fun loving man, with a big heart and good sense of humor. He loved to dance and enjoyed the theater, helping to start the Bedford Community Players in 1983 and then acting in lead roles. He was an avid hunter and enthusiast golfer. He and his brother Richard played in many tournaments in Michigan, Rhode Island, Florida the Las Vegas Pro-Am. He loved his poker-night buddies and as a good carpenter, he enjoyed helping all of his friends and family if they needed something done.

Dave is remembered with love by his wife Dametra, daughter Nicole LeBoutillier (“JB”), son Ron Frechette, two step-sons Erich Hochleitner (Kelly) and Matt Hochleitner, and 8 grandchidren. He is also survived by his brother Richard D. Frechette (Elaine) of West Palm Beach, Florida and 1 nephew. He was predeceased by his daughter, Terri Sue Frechette and son Thomas Roland Frechette.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 27, 2019 from 3:00 – 8:00 pm at the Pawlak Funeral Home, 1640 Smith Road (at Jackman Rd.) Temperance, Michigan 48182. Funeral services on Thursday will begin at 10:00 am where he will lie in state at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 9144 Lewis Ave, Temperance, MI 48182 with Services at 11:00 am.

Those wishing to leave memorial contributions are asked to consider Hospice of Michigan, St Paul’s Lutheran Church Food Closet or Bedford Lions Club.
www.pawlakfuneralhome.com