Patrick Owen Fread died in the Rosebud County Health Care Facility on January 31, 2013. He was born on December 6, 1938 in New Rockford, North Dakota. Pat spent most of his younger days in North Dakota before coming to Montana during his grade school years. Pat spent the remainder of his life in or around Forsyth, Montana.
Pat worked on the family farm and as a hired man at several area ranches before settling in as a custodian for the Forsyth public school system. Pat retired from the Forsyth schools in 2001. Pat spent many years as a proud member of the Forsyth Volunteer Fire Department and reached the level of Fire Chief. He was a member of Duck’s Unlimited and was an avid supporter of that foundation. Pat played high school football and had a passion for all sports, he rarely missed a Dogie home game. Pat was an accomplished card player and dedicated gardener. Pat had a love of the outdoors, he hunted and fished most of his life and was a fixture at the Forsyth Diversion Dam during fishing season.
Survivors include Janette Duffy (sister in law), Calley Duffy (niece) Branden Duffy (great nephew), Diana (Paul) Meland (niece), and Duane (Karla) Duffy (nephew).
Pat was preceded in death by his parents, brother (Mike Duffy) and numerous friends and relatives.
Service Schedule
Visitation
10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Wednesday February 6, 2013
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Lane
Forsyth, MT 59327
Funeral Service
11:00 AM
Thursday February 7, 2013
Chapel of Stevenson & Son's Funeral Home of Forsyth
245 Westwind Lane
Forsyth, MT 59327
Service Schedule
Visitation
10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Wednesday February 6, 2013
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Lane
Forsyth, MT 59327
Funeral Service
11:00 AM
Thursday February 7, 2013
Chapel of Stevenson & Son's Funeral Home of Forsyth
245 Westwind Lane
Forsyth, MT 59327
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Butch Gregory says
A “Forsyth favorite”, Pat will be missed at ball games, the dam, and around town. Pat thanks for be the person you were and may you rest in peaceful bless, in the loving arms of our Lord.
Pat & Ed Herold says
We will miss Pat and all his knowledge he shared with us about fishing the Yellowstone River. Pat was a very generous and sharing person. May he rest in peace, perhaps the fish are bigger where he is now.
Clarisse Roos says
Pat was such a huge part of the community and will be missed terribly. I have so many fond memories of Pat working in the old elementary school. He was always kind and patient with all of the kids. May he rest in peace!
Mike Cozzens says
Pat was a very nice man can still see him standing in the corner of the lunch room making sure you cleaned up your lunch RIP you will be missed
Virgil & Waneeta Farris says
I have many memories of Pat from when I was very young. Pat’s mother, Alice, and my mother were best of friends. I can recall time after time when Pat would come from the river after a good day fishing. I say a good day because Pat knew how to catch fish and always caught something. I know many of those that lived in the Howard Valley during those years will remember Pat as a quiet, well liked individual. The community will miss seeing him at the diversion dam or in his garden. May he rest in peace.
Waneeta Brockel Farris
Kim Watson says
I will never forget seeing him every day when I was in school he was such a nice guy. He will forever be missed. RIP Pat!
Pam Ash says
We lived on the neighboring farm when I was growing up. Mike used to watch Pat and me when we were kids. Knowing someone all your life leaves a void when they are gone.
Susie Heberle Sanders says
I always looked forward to Pat’s greetings at school and at the games in the High School. I remember him always being jovial and friendly. His absence will be noticed and his presence forever remembered. Thoughts are with your family right now.
Dick & Joan DeCock says
I have many memories of Pat, as we played football in Highschool together at Forsth High School – 1955 thru 1958. Pat was farming with his dad after High School in the summer and then hepled me feed livestock in the winter untill he got the job at school. He was so happy that he had a full time job. I will remember when our horses were stranded accross the creek when it flooded and he brought his fishing boat and hauled some hay to them. We had good times hunting together when we were younger. He will be missed by our family. May he rest in peace.
Erica Bidwell says
I enjoyed working with Pat. I loved that he would dye his beard green for St. Patrick’s Day and as the kids would head out to recess after lunch they would stop, grab his hands and try to jump higher than his head. He was a great guy that will be remembered fondly.
Peggy Redman and Earl Mortensen says
I was a teacher at Forsyth Elementary School for 38 years. Pat was our custodian for many of those years. He was great at his job, and always willing to lend a helping hand, even to the point of helping children zip or unzip their coats. He will long be remembered for his fishing skills, gardening expertise, and his loyal support of the Forsyth Dogie sports teams. He was a great guy, and will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and our community. We are thinking of, and praying for his family at this difficult time. May God comfort you as only He can.
Wayne Farber says
I remember pat, mike going moose hunting, that trip pat shot the moose. We would also go hunt for antelope in are new pickups. I remember him driving the ford and I was driving the Chevy. He would also out hunt me and out fish me every time we would go out. We would go trapping together, pat mike and I. I will miss him and all those old and good days together.
Dennis Kenney says
“Treader” The favorite nick name for Pat on the football field. The unmovable guy on the field. Lots of memories of Pat althrough our high school years. May you now have peace with the Lord, Pat
Jerome Rusdal says
Fire Chief, a well respected friend of Forsyth!
Jeff Bendewald and family says
Pat will surely be missed. Every day at school he greeted us with a smile and every evening and weekend he was down at the dam letting us know what the fish were biting on. What a wonderful man! It seems the world is running out of nice people. Forsyth has lost one of the good ones.
Bob and Naomi Rusdal says
we will miss his corn, REST IN PEACE .
HE HAD A BEAUTFUL GARDEN
NAOMI AND BOB RUSDAL
Alicia Harding (Haag) says
I have such fond memories of Pat growing up in Forsyth Schools. He was always there to get your coat zipper “un-stuck,” welcome you back from recess or encourage you in athletics. I’m not sure I would have been able to remember he was the school’s custodian without having just read it…I would have remembered him as a great counselor, coach, fire fighter, solver of all problems big and small. I hope he realized how important he was to all of us growing up! Rest in peace. I’m sure there were plenty ready and waiting to welcome you home!
Shawna Snyder Jamison says
My entire school years had a memory of Pat. He was such a kind , and dedicated member of the Forsyth community. He knew just what to say to make kids behave, but smile at the same time. Thank you Pat for your love and service.
Vickie and Dennis Krause says
I remember Pat growing up in the Howard Valley. He was just all around great guy. Also I appreciated hisaawesome fishing skills and giving my son pointers. He will be missed by all. The fresh vegetables he furnished to the Senior Center was such a treat .
Cathy Byron says
Pat Fread was a man of hidden talents. He was well-read, and there was no one I enjoyed discussing books with more than Pat! Our JFK discussions linger with me still. Pat had a powerful insight and keen analytic mind when it came to the world of national and international politics. Pat was a treasure as a custodian. When a school program was scheduled, we NEVER had to double-check to see that chairs, stages, choral shells, etc. were in place when Pat was in charge. It was done to perfection – with time to spare. His passing brings him peace and rest … But it leaves me with a selfish sadness. I had so hoped he could teach my grandsons about fishing the Yellowstone River … Godspeed, Pat. You truly were a parent-figure to so many of our youth. The ripples from your well-lived life will continue as a lasting tribute to the positive deposit you made in our lives. Thank you.
Jessica Fink Matusik says
I had the pleasure of sharing the school halls with Pat. He was always the first to say ‘Good Morning’ to me and actually mean it every day. He always had such a positive outlook in every situation. Something that will forever stick in my memories is Pat NEVER wearing a coat outside, even when it was freezing, but he was soo concerned with making sure everyone else was warm and properly dressed or he would go out of his way to make sure you eventually were. (Lost in found was a big help to him!) He was such a selfless man, and you don’t realize to what extent when you are a child, but looking back on life, he made an unforgettable impact in so many different ways in so many different lives!! RIP Pat.
John Fread (Bremerton WA) says
Gee wizz! I wish I would have gotten to know my first cousin Pat. His mother, Alice was my Dad’s Sister. He was James Fread. But a divorce in the family prevented that. RIP Pat