Frederick J. Witts, Jr.

Frederick J Witts Jr, age 86, a longtime resident of Lowell, died peacefully in his sleep on February 22, 2023 after a period of declining health. He was the husband of the late Patricia A. (Tetro) Witts who passed in 2020 after 65 years of marriage.

Born in 1936 in Billerica, MA to the late Lucille (Bostwick) and Frederick J Witts Sr., Fred spent his youth in Billerica, Lowell, and Chelmsford having graduated from Chelmsford High School in 1954.

During his years married to Pat, he raised five sons in the Highlands section of Lowell. He coached baseball for the Lowell Highland Little League and the Lowell Major League for 16 years, coaching legions of Highland youth resulting in six championships. He was part of the original cast of the Lowell Highland Players and enthusiastically lent his often times slightly off pitch voice to their many productions.  He was one of the original founders and president of the Friends of Lowell High School. He enjoyed playing golf and played in many leagues, and was a social member at MT. Pleasant Golf Club in Lowell. Fairway Fred, as his golfing friends affectionately knick-named him proudly shot a hole in one at Hickory Hills golf course in Methuen, the story of which he frequently shared with all who would listen. As a member of the Knickerbocker Club, he enjoyed playing Softball and bringing his children to the annual Christmas parties. He was an avid Patriots and Red Sox fan and in the warmer weather was often found in his back yard screen house cheering on the home town team with his faithful Labrador Tar at his feet.  In the late 1970’s he added running to his list of activities and competed in many local 5K races.  Fred was blessed with many dear friends especially his good friend Dick Desilets who was his assistant coach for years and Dick’s wife Marcia, Fred’s cousin. Together with his friends and wife he enjoyed playing cards, cruises, wintering in Juno Beach, FL, and in his later years, Friday afternoons at the Princeton Station in North Chelmsford.

He worked for Airco Industrial Gases in Acton, MA for 30 years where he rose to Shop Steward and was a member of the New England Teamsters and Trucking Industry. Following his retirement from Airco, he worked for The Lowell Water Department, and The City of Lowell before he began a second career as a  real estate agent in Lowell. As a Real Estate Agent he helped many first time buyers realize their dream of homeownership and won several sales awards. 

He is survived by four sons Dennis Witts and Cindy Shumsky of Atkinson, NH, Bruce and Martina Witts of Naples, ME, Randy Witts and Julie Farmer of North Chelmsford, MA, Jeffrey and Gina Witts of Newburyport, MA,  and a daughter-in-law Laura Witts of Nashua, NH; his 11 grandchildren Jason, Kaitlin, Andrew, Justin, Caroline, Daniel, Ashley, Corey, Collin, Brendan and Steven and two great grandchildren Sarah and Lily; his brother John Witts and Joanne of Westford, MA, sister Sandra McCormack and John of Chelmsford, MA; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his son Dr. Gary Witts, his brother Peter Witts and his stepmother Ruth (Fitzpatrick) Witts.

Relatives and friends will be received at the TYNGSBOROUGH FUNERAL HOME, 4 Cassaway Dr., Tyngsborough on Friday, March 3, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated immediately following at 12:30 p.m. at St. Mary Magdalen Church, 95 Lakeview Ave., Tyngsborough, MA.  Burial will be private in Lowell Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: Little League Baseball, Incorporated, ATTN: Chief Financial Officer, PO Box 3485, 539 US Route 15 Hwy, Williamsport, PA 17701-0485 https://www.littleleague.org/who-we-are/making-a-donation/

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