Paul Anthony Frede passed away peacefully February 2, 2024, at the age of 89 with his family and friends by his side. Paul was born on October 25, 1934, to Lawrence George Frede and Cecelia Anna Chatelier. He grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, attended Purcell High School and graduated from Central Vocational School of Automotives at age 17. He served in the US Army in Germany from 1957-1959. He began his business in Newtown in 1965, which became Village Auto Service. Paul also served as Mayor of Newtown for two terms from 1989-1996. Paul is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Janice Frede (nee Walker), son Steve (Rhonda) Frede, daughters Shannon Neus and Nickole (Andy) Utz, grandchildren: Jerad Blackaby, Jacob & Alice Utz, Christopher & Elsa Neus, and best friend Curt Cosby. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: Lawrence, Cecelia, Art and John Jack. Paul lived his life to the fullest and will be missed by many. Visitation will be on Saturday, March 2 from 12-3PM at T.P. WHITE & SONS Funeral Home, 2050 Beechmont Ave., Mt. Washington. Memorials to Salvation Army and St. Vincent De Paul.
Paul lived on the west side of Cincinnati as a boy. Getting fresh milk from the nearby farm and going out alone to explore while carrying his little knife, thus began his lifelong love of adventure. Even as a young child, Paul loved animals, having a pet squirrel named Billy whom he carried around in his front shirt pocket.
When hard times hit, the family lost their home and moved to Cleinview Avenue. Here he learned his honest work ethic from his dad. Paul sold newspapers on the corner, mowed neighbors lawns with a small push mower and helped his father, who remodeled Dave Frisch's home and restaurants. Paul loved telling how Mrs. Frisch would pay them with a Frisch’s bag full of cash.
After attending Our Lady of Lourdes primary school he went to Princeton for one year and graduated from Central Vocational School at age 17, learning skills he would use to create and run his business. Paul and his friends enjoyed working on cars. They spent many weekends swimming all day at Coney Island and dancing at Moonlight Gardens at night.
When Paul was twenty, he married his first wife of twenty years, Mary Lou. Soon after Paul was drafted into the Army and was stationed in Dexheim, Germany. His unit was sent to fix the trucks on the base. They worked tirelessly to get everything up and running so if the Russians came they would be ready. Mary Lou joined her husband there and they enjoyed traveling when Paul was on furlough.
Mary Lou returned to the United States in preparation for the birth of their child, Steven. When Paul called home, while on furlough in London, his mother-in-law said, “You can’t talk to her now Paul, she just had a baby boy!”
After being discharged from the Army Paul and his family lived in Madisonville while he worked for Webber and Gaul Automotive. In 1965, Paul moved to Newtown and ran the Sunoco station on the corner of Church and Valley. He later bought Tressler Comet gas station and auto repair at the corner of 32 and River HIlls Drive. When the gas station & auto repair shop across the street went up for sale Paul called to inquire about buying the property. The person he spoke to said, “You better buy it fast because Paul Frede has all the repair work business around everywhere and may be moving”. Paul said, “this is Paul Frede”. That afternoon the back of an envelope was signed to complete the sale. Today, over fifty years later, Village Auto Service is still open. Paul’s son and daughter-in-law, Rhonda, own it now and carry on his legacy. He would often say about Steve, “I love that kid of mine, I'm so proud of him”.
In 1975, Paul started coaching Steve in motocross. There wasn’t a Saturday without Steve and Paul running around the tri state, from track to track, racing with their good friends. Paul loved watching Steve race.
Another of Paul’s life accomplishments was getting his pilot’s license. He told the story of how after only three lessons his instructor got out of the plane and said “you’re ready, call the tower and take her up.” He was a member of the Union Township Kiwanis, supported many athletic teams around the area, gave to many charities, donated blood for years and gave big tips to waitresses (because he never met a rich waitress).
In 1975, Paul began dating the love of his life, Janice, who had two lovely daughters, Shannon and Nicki, both under the age of three at the time. He loved them so much and was proud that they both became teachers. Dating on and off for almost eight years, they were married in 1983. They shared 40 years of precious memories; boating, dancing, traveling and enjoying each other's company. Taking numerous trips all over the United States, France, Germany, Mexico, and cruises. He fit in no matter where he went and always enjoyed a conversation with locals. He never met a stranger.
There was a time that the wheel of a tractor flew off and into the creek in front of Village Auto. Paul immediately gave assistance, helping to retrieve and repair the wheel for the teenage driver, Curt Cosby. Years later the two would work on Newtown Council together forming a life long friendship that included many adventures They traveled and had wonderful times snowmobiling in Michigan, quad riding in West Virginia and Arizona and spending time together.
Newtown sewers built in the village created months of construction, prompting Paul to wear a t-shirt that said, “Newtown has to get better”. He was inspired to join the town planning commission in 1984, subsequently serving on Newtown council and becoming vice Mayor, later being elected to serve as Mayor of Newtown for two terms from 1989 to 1996. During this time he was an integral part of many improvements in the village. Paul was proud to be a part of the development of Ivy Hills Country Club and community. When mayor, he was asked if he'd like a country club in his village. Paul said that would be great. All that was needed was sewer and water. Paul responded that it would be “no problem”. It was difficult to get this passed through Newtown’s council, but Paul, being Paul, got it done and Ivy Hills was born. After Ivy Hills was completed the owner offered him a membership, which he refused, saying that would be unethical. He did it for the village, not himself.
Like most retired grandparents, Paul enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. Nicki and Andy are the proud parents of Jacob and Alice, who are both attending the University of Cincinnati. Paul and Jacob went on many adventures from going in the creek behind the house all the way down to the Jones Fish Hatchery. One day they came up out of the creek and Paul had mud up to his knees and Jacob had mud up to his neck! Paul would carry baby Alice around and call her “little Nicki”. When she was a baby, they would sit on the couch close together and watch ET over and over. His daughter, Shannon has two amazing children. Christopher and Elsa. Paul was so happy to teach Christopher how to drive, taking him to Cottage Park to drive his truck. He said Christopher did a great job. He absolutely adored Elsa, when she was only 2 years old, would grab grandpa by the finger and say “let's dance Pa”.He would tell her she had the most beautiful face he had ever seen. Rhonda and Steve’s son, Jerad, would bring friends and visit with Paul in the backyard and play basketball
After a long, loving, adventurous life, Paul passed away from heart failure on February 2, 2024, at Christ Hospital with his family and best friend at his side. Even on his deathbed when asked how he felt by the nurses, he answered “wonderful”. Paul lived for 89 years and had a great life. He continually focused on the positives and was an inspiration to many throughout his life, leaving a legacy for generations to come. Paul will be greatly missed by many.
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Paul lived on the west side of Cincinnati as a boy. Getting fresh milk from the nearby farm and going out alone to explore while carrying his little knife, thus began his lifelong love of adventure. Even as a young child, Paul loved animals, having a pet squirrel named Billy whom he carried around in his front shirt pocket.
When hard times hit, the family lost their home and moved to Cleinview Avenue. Here he learned his honest work ethic from his dad. Paul sold newspapers on the corner, mowed neighbors lawns with a small push mower and helped his father, who remodeled Dave Frisch's home and restaurants. Paul loved telling how Mrs. Frisch would pay them with a Frisch’s bag full of cash.
After attending Our Lady of Lourdes primary school he went to Princeton for one year and graduated from Central Vocational School at age 17, learning skills he would use to create and run his business. Paul and his friends enjoyed working on cars. They spent many weekends swimming all day at Coney Island and dancing at Moonlight Gardens at night.
When Paul was twenty, he married his first wife of twenty years, Mary Lou. Soon after Paul was drafted into the Army and was stationed in Dexheim, Germany. His unit was sent to fix the trucks on the base. They worked tirelessly to get everything up and running so if the Russians came they would be ready. Mary Lou joined her husband there and they enjoyed traveling when Paul was on furlough.
Mary Lou returned to the United States in preparation for the birth of their child, Steven. When Paul called home, while on furlough in London, his mother-in-law said, “You can’t talk to her now Paul, she just had a baby boy!”
After being discharged from the Army Paul and his family lived in Madisonville while he worked for Webber and Gaul Automotive. In 1965, Paul moved to Newtown and ran the Sunoco station on the corner of Church and Valley. He later bought Tressler Comet gas station and auto repair at the corner of 32 and River HIlls Drive. When the gas station & auto repair shop across the street went up for sale Paul called to inquire about buying the property. The person he spoke to said, “You better buy it fast because Paul Frede has all the repair work business around everywhere and may be moving”. Paul said, “this is Paul Frede”. That afternoon the back of an envelope was signed to complete the sale. Today, over fifty years later, Village Auto Service is still open. Paul’s son and daughter-in-law, Rhonda, own it now and carry on his legacy. He would often say about Steve, “I love that kid of mine, I'm so proud of him”.
In 1975, Paul started coaching Steve in motocross. There wasn’t a Saturday without Steve and Paul running around the tri state, from track to track, racing with their good friends. Paul loved watching Steve race.
Another of Paul’s life accomplishments was getting his pilot’s license. He told the story of how after only three lessons his instructor got out of the plane and said “you’re ready, call the tower and take her up.” He was a member of the Union Township Kiwanis, supported many athletic teams around the area, gave to many charities, donated blood for years and gave big tips to waitresses (because he never met a rich waitress).
In 1975, Paul began dating the love of his life, Janice, who had two lovely daughters, Shannon and Nicki, both under the age of three at the time. He loved them so much and was proud that they both became teachers. Dating on and off for almost eight years, they were married in 1983. They shared 40 years of precious memories; boating, dancing, traveling and enjoying each other's company. Taking numerous trips all over the United States, France, Germany, Mexico, and cruises. He fit in no matter where he went and always enjoyed a conversation with locals. He never met a stranger.
There was a time that the wheel of a tractor flew off and into the creek in front of Village Auto. Paul immediately gave assistance, helping to retrieve and repair the wheel for the teenage driver, Curt Cosby. Years later the two would work on Newtown Council together forming a life long friendship that included many adventures They traveled and had wonderful times snowmobiling in Michigan, quad riding in West Virginia and Arizona and spending time together.
Newtown sewers built in the village created months of construction, prompting Paul to wear a t-shirt that said, “Newtown has to get better”. He was inspired to join the town planning commission in 1984, subsequently serving on Newtown council and becoming vice Mayor, later being elected to serve as Mayor of Newtown for two terms from 1989 to 1996. During this time he was an integral part of many improvements in the village. Paul was proud to be a part of the development of Ivy Hills Country Club and community. When mayor, he was asked if he'd like a country club in his village. Paul said that would be great. All that was needed was sewer and water. Paul responded that it would be “no problem”. It was difficult to get this passed through Newtown’s council, but Paul, being Paul, got it done and Ivy Hills was born. After Ivy Hills was completed the owner offered him a membership, which he refused, saying that would be unethical. He did it for the village, not himself.
Like most retired grandparents, Paul enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. Nicki and Andy are the proud parents of Jacob and Alice, who are both attending the University of Cincinnati. Paul and Jacob went on many adventures from going in the creek behind the house all the way down to the Jones Fish Hatchery. One day they came up out of the creek and Paul had mud up to his knees and Jacob had mud up to his neck! Paul would carry baby Alice around and call her “little Nicki”. When she was a baby, they would sit on the couch close together and watch ET over and over. His daughter, Shannon has two amazing children. Christopher and Elsa. Paul was so happy to teach Christopher how to drive, taking him to Cottage Park to drive his truck. He said Christopher did a great job. He absolutely adored Elsa, when she was only 2 years old, would grab grandpa by the finger and say “let's dance Pa”.He would tell her she had the most beautiful face he had ever seen. Rhonda and Steve’s son, Jerad, would bring friends and visit with Paul in the backyard and play basketball
After a long, loving, adventurous life, Paul passed away from heart failure on February 2, 2024, at Christ Hospital with his family and best friend at his side. Even on his deathbed when asked how he felt by the nurses, he answered “wonderful”. Paul lived for 89 years and had a great life. He continually focused on the positives and was an inspiration to many throughout his life, leaving a legacy for generations to come. Paul will be greatly missed by many.
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