David Lewis Fredericks, age 72, of Oxford, Connecticut, passed away unexpectedly on October 3, 2026. Dave was born on January 3, 1954, in Danbury, Connecticut, where he grew up and made countless lifelong friendships and memories. He was a member of the Mill Plain Fire Department and spent his career working for Hoffman Fuel, where he eventually retired.
On May 10, 1980, Dave married the love of his life, Chris Fredericks (Hunihan)—or, as Dave affectionately referred to her, “the Warden.” They spent 46 years together building a life that was full of family, friends, laughter, a whole lot of chaos, and a home where everyone was always welcome.
In addition to his wife, Chris, Dave leaves behind his son, Adam Fredericks and his wife, Nicole, of Oxford; his daughters, Casey Fredericks of Oxford and Lindsay Fredericks of Oxford; and his precious grandchildren, Braedan Fredericks, Hailee Fredericks, Cameron Fredericks, and Michaelee Blakeman-Crisp. His firstborn grandson, Braedan, gave him the name “Pop Pop,” a name that stuck and that each of his grandchildren would lovingly know him by.
He is also survived by his siblings, Janice Arbitell and her husband, Rocky, of Southbury; Karin Modzelewski, of Brookfield; Kathy Fadden of Norwich; Donald Fredericks and his wife, Sheryl, of Thomaston; Douglas Fredericks of Danbury; Danny Fredericks of Danbury; Denise Fredericks of Southbury; and Dennis Fredericks of Deltona, Florida, as well as many nieces, nephews, “adopted” children, extended family members, and friends who were fortunate enough to be loved by him.
Dave was also incredibly fortunate to have friendships that became family. He shared a lifelong friendship and special bond with his best friend, Lew, and held the entire Lombardo family close to his heart. If Dave wasn’t at home, there was a pretty good chance you could find him at Lew’s house or at the shop. He also shared an incredibly close bond with his brothers and sisters—relationships built on a lifetime of memories, laughter, love, and the kind of connection that only siblings can share. Those relationships meant more to Dave than he probably ever put into words.
Dave was predeceased by his father, James Fredericks; his mother, Thelma Fredericks (French); his sister, Jamie Carollo; his brother in law Mark Modzelewski; and his grandson, Brett Jr.
To know Dave was to know that family didn’t necessarily mean sharing the same last name or the same blood. Dave and Chris’s door was always open, and there was always room at the Fredericks Inn. Over the years, countless kids became part of their family. They came through the door, stayed for dinner, stayed for the weekend, or sometimes seemed to never leave—and Dave loved them all.
Of course, all those extra kids occasionally interfered with one of Dave’s favorite Saturday morning activities: sitting on his couch and watching TV in peace. He may have complained about it, but no one was fooled. He wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.
Dave had an avid love for racing, bowling, fishing, spending time at Lew’s house or shop, the New York Yankees, and the New York Jets. It was rare to see him without his Yankees hat. He was always quoting movies and had a language all his own, making up words and phrases that somehow everyone around him came to understand.
And although he may not have always wanted to admit it, especially when there seemed to be more and more of them, Dave loved the family pets. Piper, in particular, was his K-9 sidekick. She went everywhere with him, including his morning coffee runs to the gas station, and slept beside him every night.
But above everything else, Dave loved being surrounded by his family. Dave was a man of few words, but his presence always said plenty.
Party? Dave was there.
Family gathering? Dave was there.
Just because? Dave was there.
Needed a hand with something? Dave was there.
A grandchild had a sporting or school event? Dave was there.
That was simply who Dave was.
He showed up.
He showed up with his Yankees hat, his jokes, his movie quotes, his made-up words, his unmistakable sense of humor, and most importantly, his love.
Dave was happiest when the people he loved were together. His family could count on him to bring humor into the room, to make people laugh, and to make everyone—whether family by blood or family by choice—feel like they belonged.
His absence leaves an immeasurable hole in the family he spent his life building. There will be an empty seat at the gatherings, someone missing from the sidelines, a quieter Saturday morning couch, and a Yankees hat that will forever remind everyone of the man who wore it.
But there will also be 46 years of marriage, generations of family, countless stories, endless movie quotes, years of laughter, and a lifetime of memories left behind.
Because if there was one thing everyone knew about Dave Fredericks, it was this:
If his family was there, Dave wanted to be there too.
And he always was.
Relatives and friends can greet the family on Saturday, October 10, 2026 from 12pm to 4pm in the Ralph E. Hull Funeral Home, 161 West Church St. Seymour, CT 06483 with a Celebration of Dave’s life taking place at 4pm in the funeral home. Interment will be at the convenience of the family. Repast will follow in the Quaker Farms Firehouse, 403 Quaker Farms Rd. Oxford, CT 06478 from 5pm to 9pm.
Please join us following the service as we gather together to share memories, stories, food, and celebrate Dave and a life that meant so much to so many.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you honor Dave in a way that would have meant the most to him: spend time with the people you love, lend a hand to someone who needs it, share a good laugh, and maybe raise a glass while telling one of your favorite stories. If you knew Dave, chances are you have a few.
For those wishing to make a memorial contribution, donations may also be made in Dave’s memory to Mill Plain Hose Company or Oxford EMS.
For more information or to leave an online condolence, please visit us at www.hullfh.com