BANGOR – George Richard Fricke, 95, died peacefully July 25, 2013, after a brief illness. He was born June 8, 1918, in Buffalo, N.Y.
George was predeceased by his wife of 61 years, Catherine Isobel (Nichol) Fricke. He leaves sons, George F. Fricke of Bangor and Robert W. Fricke of Alburg, Vt.; and daughters, Marianne Fricke of Glenburn, Joan Youngken of Peace Dale, R.I., Carrie Wingate of Bradley and Cora Stempel of Rhinebeck, N.Y. He also has seven grandchildren and three stepgrandchildren, he continually bragged that they are all “achievers.”
George was a graduate of Ontario Agricultural College, Guelph, Ontario. After graduation he joined the military and served with distinction as an officer in the U.S. Army during World War II. His orders sent him to Panama, North Africa, France, Italy and Germany. He later worked for 30 years in the pharmaceutical industry before acquiring Bartlettyarns, Harmony, in 1974 and establishing its sister company, Harmony Knitters. George retired in 1982. Throughout his life, George was devoted to community service. He belonged to the Rotary Club for many years and participated in local government in Cambridge, Harmony, Tenants Harbor and Milo. He was first selectman in Harmony for two terms and served on the library boards in both Tenants Harbor and Milo. George was a charter member of the board of directors of Mayo Regional Hospital, Dover-Foxcroft. He delivered Meals On Wheels in Milo until he was 90 and served as a volunteer at Mayo Regional Hospital in patient services. George’s lifelong interests included music and writing non-fiction; he combined the two in his first book, “Wagner in Rehearsal,” which he translated from the original German and published at age 80. He played with orchestras in several cities in Canada and the U.S. An avid sailor, he owned a succession of unique boats and enjoyed exploring the bays and islands of Maine as well as extended cruises to Nova Scotia and in the Caribbean. George became a member of the Power Squadron in 1967 and served as commander of Wawenock Power Squadron and as the first commander of Mid-Coast Power Squadron, both serving the coast of Maine. George became a licensed sea captain at age 72, the oldest person in Maine to take the test and pass it the first time! In his 90th year, George published his second book, “Fighting the Fog and Winning,” about his sailing adventures on the coasts of New England and Nova Scotia. We rejoice with him on his final voyage – surely on board his beloved schooner, Sundhet, with his wife and co-captain, Catherine, at his side. Full sails ahead!
Services will be private. The family encourages friends to make memorial donations to their local hospice agency.
George Richard Fricke
