Richard Fredette

Richard Fredette of Cranston, RI, dedicated and loving husband and father, passed away Tuesday evening November 5, 2024, at the age of 68. He died surrounded by his family after a long battle with cancer.

Richard was born on April 11, 1956, in New York, NY, to William and Barbara (nee Fredette) Mackey. He discovered an interest in camera work at a very young age while attending Columbia University football games with his father. The family relocated to Marblehead, MA during his primary school years and later moved to Cincinnati, OH. After graduating from high school, Richard continued to pursue his childhood dream of becoming a camera operator and earned a BFA in Theater and Lighting Design from the University of Cincinnati, College Conservatory of Music. 

During his formative middle-school years, a time when his mother battled and eventually succumbed to cancer, he lived for three years with his adoptive extended family - the John Anzalones - in Framingham, MA. Here he blossomed as a young adolescent learning to skate on the backyard ice rink and ski at Pico Mountain near Rutland, VT, an area he loved and considered a second home. His passion for rock music in the realm of The Jimi Hendrix Experience and Cream inspired him to take drum lessons. And his interest in 1960’s fashion - bell bottoms and Beatle boots - revealed his affinity for the social scene and identified him as one of the “cool” kids. 

After graduating from college Richard worked a variety of theater jobs in local, regional and touring venues while continuing to train as a camera operator. He became a member of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) and Cincinnati Stage Employees Local Chapter 5.

In the summer of 2003, he met and fell in love with Brooke Goode in Cincinnati, OH. They were married on September 3, 2005, in an open air ceremony at Alms Park in Cincinnati.

Soon after they settled in Rhode Island, where they started a family and have lived for the past 19 years. Their daughters, Cecelia & Evelyn, were a source of great joy & pride in Richard’s life. 

Richard loved Italian culture and food, especially cooking for loved ones at family gatherings and the holidays. 

Quick witted and gregarious he was always in the mix socially. On one occasion, while having a beer with fellow crew members after shooting had wrapped for the day on the set of Little Man Tate, he was overheard recounting one of his many life stories. The exaggerated Bronx accent he used during the recitation of his tale caught the ear of a casting director. Days later he found himself out in front of the camera rather than behind it, playing the part of The Bartender, opposite Jodie Foster. 

Not to be derailed by having “been discovered”, he achieved his childhood dream of becoming a professional camera operator and went on to shoot film, video, corporate gigs and live sporting events, including as a member of the crew for the New England Patriots for many years. Richard worked as a stagehand and freelance cameraman throughout his career as a member of Local 919, Burlington, VT; Local 23, Providence, RI; Local 11, Boston, MA and Local 481, New England, and greatly valued the camaraderie of his fellow local-chapter IATSE members and fellow camera operators. 

He is preceded in joining the Lord by his parents, William and Barbara Mackey; his beloved aunts, Mary Anzalone and Jean Fredette and his uncle and aunt, John and Beverly Anzalone. He is survived by his wife, Brooke Fredette; daughters Cecelia and Evelyn Fredette; siblings Florence Mackey, William "Willie" Jennings, Thomas James "TJ" Mackey and Marguerite "Margie" Blackmore, as well as many other loving family members. 

Mass service will be held at St. Peter Church in Rutland, VT. on Tuesday, November 12th at 11:00AM. Followed immediately by a burial service at Richard's final resting place, St. Joseph's Cemetery in Rutland. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to American Cancer Society of Rhode Island, P.O. Box 7312, Warwick, RI 02886.