Charles Arno Friedrich "Charlie", 82, who lived at The Stroudwater Lodge in Westbrook, went home to be with the Lord September 24, 2020.
He was born in Orange, NJ, on October, 20, 1937 to Arno and Jessie Friedrich (Greenleaf). Charlie lived in West Orange and graduated from West Orange High School in 1956. After High School, he worked as a plant assistant engineer for Public Service Electric & Gas Company in Irvington, NJ. On August 23, 1958, Charles married his high school sweetheart, Nancy Olsen. The loving couple recently celebrated their 62nd Wedding Anniversary.
Charlie and Nancy, with the help of Nancy's father Peder, built their first house in Bayhead, NJ. They lived there for several years and had two sons. The couple then moved to Caldwell, NJ which brought along baby number three. Charles and Nancy then decided to make a courageous move to Maine in 1967 with three children and no job lined up. Maine held a special place in Charles' heart since his mother was born there and he spent his summers in Boothbay as a boy where he gained a love of the ocean and sailing. The couple lived in Westbrook initially, where his older sister Marge Keary resided. They had another baby and the growing family then moved to Falmouth where they raised their four children. Charles worked for Commercial Distributors in Portland, first in sales and then as the district manager for the Whirlpool appliance division. He received numerous awards for his efforts and also won several memorable trips and prizes.
Charlie had a love of boats and cars. Most weekends were spent sailing on Casco Bay and exploring the islands or at "the camp" on Sebago Lake enjoying his family and always fixing something. He also found time to join the Kiwanis Club, volunteer with Boy Scouts, help with baseball and softball teams his kids were a part of. Charles was a member of First Baptist Church in Westbrook where he was baptized and loved to help with Easter breakfast. More recently he was a member of First Baptist Church in Portland.
After retiring, Charles and Nancy were "snow birds" and traveled between their summer home on Sebago Lake and residence in Boca Raton, Florida. They enjoyed many years there socializing with family and special friends and visiting the beach. In about 1997, Charles was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease which increasingly took its toll on his body. He never complained but determined to keep pressing on and do what activities he could. When it became too difficult to manage traveling between both houses, the couple settled in Yarmouth and lived there for many years, which they enjoyed very much.
Charles is survived by his beloved wife, Nancy; his sister Lorraine Reichert; his son Eric Charles Friedrich and his wife Linda of Ellenwood, GA, his son Stephen Richard Friedrich and his wife Jaimy of North Yarmouth, ME, his daughter Diana Lyn Froisland and her husband David of Raymond, ME, and his daughter Debra Lee Friedrich of Boston, MA. His five grandchildren: Kristen Friedrich, Kimberly Kramer and her husband Joe, Kurt Friedrich and his wife Natalie, Haley and Aubrie Froisland who will all miss their "Pop Pop." He also has nine great grandchildren: Halie, Shawn, Robert, Joshua, Charlotte, Annabelle, Ryker, Coltyn and Makynlie and many neices and nephews.
A celebration of life service will be held at Windham Assembly of God, Windham, ME on Sunday, October, 18, 2020 at 2PM with a reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to the National Parkinson Foundation www.parkinson.org
Arrangements have been entrusted to Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service, Buxton, www.mainefuneral.com