A couple who were married for more than six decades passed away from complications related to coronavirus within hours of each other – only two days after their son died from Covid-19.
83-year-old Vicki Freda and her husband 85-year-old Larry Freda passed away on April 24 after contracting the virus – two days after their son, 52-year-old John, lost his battle against the infection.
Gov. Phil Murphy recognized the family’s contributions to the New Jersey community at a press conference and on Twitter.
He wrote: “We remember Larry and Vicki Freda, and their son, John. One family.”
This comes as the state continues to fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, which has infected over 188,000 people in New Jersey and taken the lives of 15,000.
Vicki and Larry, both Newark natives, had three children and were adored by the community.
Larry, who was an Army veteran before he had a career at Pabst Ribbon Brewery in Newark, also became a custodian at West Essex Regional High School.
“Everyone knew him for his humor and smile,” Murphy wrote on Twitter.
Vicki worked at the Township of Fairfield Municipal Building before she retired as Executive Secretary to the Mayor in 2007.
Murphy wrote on Twitter: “She was incredibly creative, and a den mother in the Cub Scouts for each of her three sons. Larry and Vicki loved being grandparents, and always had fun.”
Vicki’s obituary read: “In death, as in life, they were inseparable.
“She loved and valued her large Italian family above all else. Taking great pride in the closeness she kept with her large, extended family. She attended her grandchildren’s every sporting event, no matter what the weather. She was more than a familiar face in the crowd, and the grandmother everyone wanted to call their own.”
John’s obituary read: “He had a real talent for writing and drawing, enjoyed creating funny social media memes and loved working on art projects using figurines.”
Murphy wrote on Twitter: “John was a proud Jersey product all the way. He had a creative soul, loving to write, draw, and work on art projects.
“He was an avid reader & movie buff. John was funny, thoughtful, intelligent, & introspective.”
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