MILLINOCKET – Carl L. DiFrederico, 73, passed away Sunday, February 21, 2016, with his family by his side. He was born on April 8, 1942, the son of Augustino and Arlene (Hunter) DiFrederico.
Carl was raised in Millinocket and graduated from Stearns High School in 1960. He was also a graduate of Husson College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business. He went on to earn a Master’s degree in education from the University of Maine, and enjoyed a 40-year career in education at Schenck (1966-1969) and Stearns (1969-2006) High Schools.
During his time at Stearns, Carl was a dedicated teacher and a beloved coach. He was the head of the business department, where he started teaching shorthand and typing; and, at the time of his retirement, taught computer applications. Carl coached Varsity Baseball from 1970-1997, and was an assistant Varsity Football coach from 1972-1997, where he helped lead his teams to numerous state championships; baseball, Class B Maine State Champions, 1975, and football, Class B Maine State Champions, 1987, Class C Maine State Champions 1991, 1992, 1995. He was also the Boys Freshman Basketball coach and Girls Softball coach from 1981-1983. For several years, Carl was a yearbook photographer and yearbook business manager, and he also sat on the Accreditation Committee and the District Improvement Team. Ever the sports enthusiast, he had the pleasure of coaching his nephews and watching his daughter Darcy play basketball throughout her high school and college careers. Even after his retirement, Carl never ran into a former student who he didn’t greet with a smile and engage in conversation. He was loved by his many students and the staff he worked with during his long career.
Carl’s best friend was his son, Louie, of whom he was so very proud. He and Louie enjoyed many adventures together, and his family has laughingly enjoyed re-telling the many comical stories about all of the predicaments they got into and out of. Carl dearly loved his family camp at Ambajejus Lake. He was never happier than when he was entertaining his family and friends there. You would always find him manning the grill or orchestrating a traditional Italian meal. His culinary expertise will be sorely missed. Carl taught all of his beloved grandchildren how to fish on Ambajejus. He enjoyed taking them on boat rides to Passamagamet to look for game. He loved to build a big campfire and sit outside telling stories with everyone who dropped by.
Carl is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Barbara (Currie) DiFrederico of Millinocket; two children, his son Louis and wife Katie of Millinocket; his daughter Darcy Blythman and husband Robert of Plantation, Florida; his four grandchildren, Jack DiFrederico, Molly, Eva, and Lilah Blythman; his only sister, JoAnn MacDougall and husband Wayne of Rumford, Maine; an aunt, Antoinette DiFrederico; two sisters-in-law, Gladys Morrison and husband Davis; Lenie Goodwin and husband James, and many loved nieces, nephews, and cousins. Carl will also be dearly missed by a special friend, Paul McDonald, and many other close friends and colleagues.
Friends are invited to visit with the family from 9-10:30am, on Saturday, February 27th, at the Lamson Funeral Home, 11 Tamarack Street, Millinocket. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated immediately following the calling hours at 11am at Christ the Divine Mercy Parish, St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church, 19 Colby Street, Millinocket, with the Reverend Bruce Siket, pastor, presider. Spring interment will be at the Millinocket Cemetery. Gift in memory of Carl may be sent to the James DiFrederico Scholarship Fund, 194 Cottage Road, Millinocket, Maine, 04462, or to the Katahdin Area Support Group, P.O. Box 374, Millinocket, Maine, 04462. Messages of condolence may be expressed at www.lamsonfh.com.