Frederick Joseph Mitton

MANCHESTER – Frederick Joseph Mitton, 64, passed away on Feb. 14, 2024, after a long illness with his loving family by his side.

Husband, Grandpa, Brother, Uncle, Cousin and Friend, Fred was a kind and generous soul, possessed of a keen and dry wit. He loved creating mounds of firewood every summer, boiling down maple syrup in the spring, rabbit hunting and a well-groomed lawn, dogs, cats, ice cream, chocolate, Andy Griffith marathons, and Susan.

Born in Augusta to Walter and Elizabeth Mitton, Fred was the youngest of a family of five. He grew up in Hallowell and attended Hallowell schools. He graduated from Maine Central Institute in Pittsfield in 1979.

He spent a few years after high school landscaping in Virginia. He loved the work, but he missed Maine. He returned to Maine and enrolled at Northern Maine Vocational Technical School, graduating with a degree in plumbing and heating in 1987. He worked for Webber Fuel Co. for a few years after graduation before establishing his own business, Manchester Heating. He serviced boilers and furnaces all over Kennebec County for over 30 years. He gained loyal customers and built wonderful friendships. A service visit from Fred came with his dry wit and entertaining stories, and he was certain to remember your pet at each visit.

Fred also loved antiquated objects and even better if there were gears and wheels and noise and smoke involved, and old engines and tractors were the best. A card-carrying member of the Maine Antique Tractor Club and the Maine Antique Power Association, he was proud to show off his 1940 John Deere tractor all over Maine at summer parades. Old Hallowell Day was his favorite. He treasured his 1918 Economy engine, and with the help of his brother-in-law David, nephews Tom, Nathan, John and members of the Maine Antique Power Association over the past few months, Fred was grateful to see it run just a few days before his death.

Fred is survived by his loving wife and family, Susan Fontaine Mitton, Matthew and Shelby Fontaine and grandsons Johnny and Zander, Nicole Fontaine Emmons and Ryan Emmons and grandsons Michael and Marc; sister-in-law Lisa Pare and nieces Jennifer Pare and Sarah Pare; siblings John Mitton and partner Valerie Langbein, Kathleen Mitton, Mary and David Martinelli, and Marcella and Bruce Butler; nephews Raven Butler and partner Carrie Walsh, Nathan and Jessica Butler, Miles and Kara Butler, Rob and Molly Michaud, John Michaud, Benjamin and Lea Martinelli, Sam and Sarah Martinelli, Tom Martinelli and Ashley Savage, and favorite niece Katie Michaud; many cousins and extended family and lifelong friend John Holt; and his faithful 4 legged companions Scout II, Shadow and George.

Fred faced his diagnosis with his dry wit and a tender heart. He has reached out to so many in the past few months, sharing stories and memories with us all. Despite all he faced, we felt his enduring love and true friendship. He will be sorely missed.

Many thanks to the skilled and compassionate nurses of Beacon Hospice, most especially Dakota and Erin, as well as a special thanks to Fred’s good friend and medical provider, Dr. Scott Schiff-Slater.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, Feb. 21 at 11 a.m., at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church at 41 Western Avenue in Augusta. Interment will be in the spring at the Hallowell cemetery.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Plummer Funeral Home, 16 Pleasant St., Augusta, ME 04330. Condolences, stories and photos may be shared by visiting http://www.plummerfh.com.

Memorial donations may

be made to the:

Maine Antique Tractor Club Inc.

c/o Bill Clark

398 Middle Rd.

Skowhegan, ME 04976 or:

Bread of Life Ministries

159 Water St.

Augusta, ME 04330