Essex County Wife, Husband, Son Die Of Coronavirus In Same Week

Eric Kiefer
Updated ·5 min read

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Larry and Vicki Freda were married for 62 years when they died. They each had deep Essex County ties. They had a son named John.

Now they're all gone, victims of the coronavirus.

The three died within two days of each other. According to their obituaries, the Fredas knew the value of family.

"Vicki had numerous hobbies over the years, including being a skilled crafter, making halloween costumes, art projects and ornaments for any family member or friend that made a request," her obituary states.

Speaking at a Wednesday news briefing, Gov. Phil Murphy offered messages of condolence to Larry, Vicki and John, who each passed away from COVID-19 in April.

“Larry served in the U.S. Army before a 24-year career at the former Pabst Blue Ribbon Brewery in Newark,” Murphy said. “He then became a custodian at West Essex Regional High School. Everyone knew him for his humor and smile.”

“Vicki made her career serving the Township of Fairfield before her retirement in 2007,” Murphy continued. “She was incredibly creative, and a den mother in the Cub Scouts for each of her three sons.”

She loved and valued her large Italian family above all else, her obituary continues:

"Taking great pride in the closeness she kept with her large, extended family. Every year, for over 50 years, her and her siblings have taken turns hosting a large Christmas party. Vicki cherished these parties and always loved taking her turn to host them. In her later years, her greatest pleasure was being a full-time grandmother. 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. She never missed a play or a choir that her grandsons participated in. She wouldn't miss an opportunity to take her grandsons to lunch or dinner. She was always cracking jokes, enjoyed playing cards and loved to reminisce about growing up in Newark and being a big sister. Vicki gave great advice and was an even better listener. Vicki and Larry also enjoyed their trips to the casino and they always had fun whether they won or lost."

See Victoria Freda’s full obituary here.

Lawrence Freda also knew the value of having a good time with his family, according to his obituary. It reads:

"Larry will be best remembered as the devoted, loving husband to his wife Victoria. His greatest pleasure in life was taking care of and spending time with his beloved wife Vicki. Also known for his quick wit, biting sense of humor and his God-given ability to make people feel safe and secure. He was a full-time grandfather, enjoyed playing cards, attending sporting events, plays and choirs and anything that his family was a part of. He met his friends for coffee and conversation every morning around town, always bringing back breakfast for Vicki. Larry was well known in the Town of Fairfield. Everyone he met became his friend. He had an infectious smile and could make anyone laugh."

See Lawrence Freda’s full obituary here.

As for John, a licensed optician and Fairfield resident who died on April 22, he was a “Jersey product all the way,” Murphy said.

“He had a creative soul, loving to write, draw and work on art projects,” the governor wrote about the graduate of West Essex Regional High School in North Caldwell, who was born in Belleville.

“He was an avid reader and movie buff,” Murphy continued. “John was funny, thoughtful, intelligent and introspective.”

This attitude manifested in his knack for making people feel special, his obituary states.

"[John] would spend hours searching for or creating the perfect gift to give someone," the obituary reads. "[He] will always be remembered as a funny, thoughtful, intelligent and introspective man."

See John Freda’s full obituary here.

The governor’s tribute was much appreciated, a mourner wrote.

Essex County, meanwhile, has seen the most coronavirus deaths in the entire state of New Jersey, health officials say.

With an estimated population of 798,975, Essex County has seen 1,864 deaths linked to COVID-19 as of Wednesday, according to county officials.

Essex County has seen 19,786 confirmed cases of the virus. Officials said 130,994 people have tested negative for the disease.

A town-by-town breakdown of cumulative cases, deaths linked to the disease and most recent population estimate from the U.S. Census follows below.

  • Belleville – 1,039 cases, 65 deaths (population: 36,497)

  • Bloomfield – 1,136 cases, 67 deaths (population: 49,973)

  • Caldwell – 123 cases, 9 deaths (population: 7,941)

  • Cedar Grove – 494 cases, 112 deaths (population: 12,489)

  • East Orange – 2,031 cases, 228 deaths (population: 64,367)

  • Essex Fells – 26 cases, 2 deaths (population: 2,085)

  • Fairfield – 148 cases, 17 deaths (population: 7,474)

  • Glen Ridge – 41 cases, 9 deaths (population: 7,574)

  • Irvington – 1,486 cases, 158 deaths (population: 54,312)

  • Livingston – 530 cases, 70 deaths (population: 30,303)

  • Maplewood – 352 cases, 27 deaths (population: 25,380)

  • Millburn – 166 cases, 6 deaths (population: 20,080)

  • Montclair – 467 cases, 51 deaths (population: 38,564)

  • Newark – 8,182 cases, 652 deaths (population: 282,011)

  • North Caldwell – 48 cases, 4 deaths (population: 6,621)

  • Nutley – 524 cases, 35 deaths (population: 28,434)

  • Orange – 1,051 cases, 88 deaths (population: 30,551)

  • Roseland – 89 cases, 14 deaths (population: 5,835)

  • South Orange – 120 cases, 4 deaths (population: 16,691)

  • Verona – 141 cases, 14 deaths (population: 13,390)

  • West Caldwell – 292 cases, 46 deaths (population: 10,837)

  • West Orange – 1,300 cases, 186 deaths (population: 47,563)

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com

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This article originally appeared on the Caldwells Patch