Freddie L. McInnis, 82, of Chester, NH, passed away after a strong fight against COPD, he finally succumbed to the flu on Monday April 3, 2017, in Parkland Medical Center, Derry, NH. He was born in Waltham, MA on February 3, 1935, a son of Martha (Coldwell) Strong, and had been a resident of Chester since 1968. He was employed as a truck driver for Demoulas Supermarket from ’69 to ’96 and was the last original driver. After retirement, he worked for 10 years at Chester Hardware and owned his own business, Fred’s Tackle Shop, for 10 years as well. Fred was deeply involved in the Chester Lions Club, he was past president, past deputy district governor and past zone chairman. He also was the past president and past treasurer for the Derry Eagles; FOE 663. He was the original Santa who rode on the Chester Fire truck and held this jolly position for many years and served as Santa for the Eagles Christmas parties.
Fred and his wife loved to travel around the U.S and Canada, which included trips to visit family in Nova Scotia. He had an impressive collection of over 500 hats, many of these being gifts from family and friends from all over the world. Fred was a huge Red Sox fan but what he loved more than baseball was talking to people. He was a people person and everyone who met him loved him and were left with fond memories of time spent with him.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 31 years, Donna McInnis; daughter, Vicki-Lynn Downs; two sons, Jeffrey Butler and Eric Butler; seven grandchildren, Matthew, Timothy, Melanie, Brittany, Damien, Aurora and Olivia; four great-grandchildren, Tyler, Matthew, Kairi and Caleb; brother, Arnold; half-sister Nancy; step-siblings, Arthur, Philip, Gloria, Joan and Brenda, as well as several nieces, nephews and his beloved dog and best buddy, King. Fred is predeceased by his son, Timothy McInnis and brother, Norman McInnis.
Memorial calling hours will be held on Saturday, April 15, 2017 from 12pm to 3pm in Peabody Funeral Homes & Crematorium, 15 Birch St, Derry. Memorial services will follow at 3pm. Memorial contributions may be made to the Chester Fire Department, 27 Murphy Dr. Chester, or to the Chester Lions Club, PO Box 58, Chester.