OBITUARY: Fred D. Cain, Sr., 92

Below is an obituary from Nichols Funeral Home:

WILMINGTON, MA — Fred D. Cain, Sr., age 92, of Wilmington, MA, and Wolfeboro, NH, passed away peacefully at home on May 7, 2024.

Fred was born on August 28, 1931, in Lowell, MA; he was the dear son of the late Fred F. and Anna T. (Walsh) Cain. Fred was raised and educated in Wilmington and was a graduate of Wilmington High School with the Class of 1949. Fred went on to attend Dean College before enlisting in the United States Army in July of 1951.

Fred proudly served during the Korean War earning the rank of Corporal and receiving the National Defense Service Medal. Fred was honorably discharged on July 23, 1954, and returned home to his family in Wilmington.

Fred married his “sweetheart” Maryann Curtin in May of 1954; together they settled in Wilmington, raised a beautiful family, enjoyed their home in Wolfeboro, and made many wonderful family memories throughout the years.

Fred had an adventurous spirit and was kind of a “daredevil” in his younger days. Fred enjoyed auto drag racing from 1948 and for many years to follow. In August of 1950 he traveled 2500 miles to the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah to set a speed record of 100 horsepower 1932 Ford Roadster which he was able to get up to 127.11 miles per hour to set that record. Fred was also a licensed single engine aircraft pilot, he loved to go boating, and speed around Lake Winnipesaukee and the Twin Mountains on his snowmobiles.

Fred played hard and worked hard; he joined the family car business, Fred F. Cain Chrysler Dealership in Wilmington in July of 1954 and served as President from 1959-1999. Fred also served as the director and clerk of the MSADA (Mass. State Auto Dealers Association) for many years.

Fred was the longest standing member of the Wilmington Rotary Club which he joined in August of 1954. He volunteered countless hours helping the club and the community and he also sold the most raffle tickets by far for the Rotary Auction each year.

Fred also volunteered his time and talents with the Friendship Lodge of Masons in Wilmington for several years and always looked forward to their Monday night card games.

Fred will be fondly remembered as a great guy who helped so many people throughout his life. He had a keen sense of humor and was a great storyteller. Fred will forever live on in the hearts of those who loved him.

Fred was the beloved husband of the late Maryann Cain (Curtin), devoted father of Kathleen A. Dawe & husband Greg of Estero, FL, Fred D. Cain, Jr. & wife Patricia of Wolfeboro, NH, Patricia C. Provost & late husband Carl of Windham, NH, Julie C. Kronenwett & husband Erich of Acton, and Stephen M. Cain & wife Karen of Wilmington. Loving “Gramp” of Carolyn Hatem, Stephen Parsons, Jennifer Schnetzer, Fred D. Cain III, Matthew Johnson, Frederick Kronenwett, Sean Kronenwett, Patrick Kronenwett, Brittney Cain and Allison Cain, “Great-Gramp”of many loving great-grandchildren. Dear son of the late Fred F. and Anna T. (Walsh) Cain, brother of Robert Cain, James Cain, Nancy Burke, George Cain, Catherine Burke, and the late Ethel Butters. Brother-in-law of Christine Curtin and the late Bill Curtin. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Family and friends will gather for Visitation at the Nichols Funeral Home, Inc., 187 Middlesex Ave., (Rte. 62), Wilmington on Monday, May 13th from 4:00 -7:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will take place on Tuesday, May 14th at 10:00 a.m. in St. Thomas of Villanova Church, 126 Middlesex Ave., Wilmington. Interment with Military Honors will follow in Wildwood Cemetery, Wilmington.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Fred’s memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, 3 Speen St., Ste. 250, Framingham, MA 01701 or to Local Heroes, P.O. Box 536, Wilmington, MA 01887.

To leave a message of condolence for the family please visit our website at www.nicholsfuneralhome.com.