Charles Freschette

Charles Victor Freschette, CHARLY, left these earthly bonds on January 12, 2022, at Peace Health in Vancouver, WA, with his wife Traci at his side.  He was 70 years old and died of congestive heart failure.

Charly was born on November 8, 1951, at the USAF Hospital at Brookley, AFB, Mobile, AL to Bud (Charles) Freschette of Cavalier, ND, and Juanita Giles Freschette, of Birmingham, AL.

He is preceded in death by his parents Bud and Juanita Freschette; sister, Yvonne (Freschette) Kusturin, and brother John Douglass (Doug) Freschette.

He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Traci (Hale) Freschette and their German Shepherd, Rambo; children Aaron Freschette of Walhalla, ND, Brigitte (Freschette) Greywater of Valley City, ND, Carla Freschette of Devils Lake, ND; sister Cathy (Freschette) Hendricks of Bend, OR; nephews Ed Kusturin, Clackamas, OR, John Freschette, Minneapolis, MN, Zane Freschette of Camas, WA and nieces Renee (Kusturin) Christy of Milwaukie, OR and Tana (Liebrand) Nelson of Scobey, MT.  

The first 13 years of his life were spent as an Air Force brat, living in Alabama, Louisiana, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, California and settling in North Dakota when his dad retired from the Air Force.

He lived in Japan in 1953-54 when his dad was stationed at Yokota AFB.  It was in Japan he developed his love of German Shepherds, with his first dog, Sergeant. 

Upon retiring from the Air Force in 1964, Bud asked the kids if they wanted to move back to Florida or move to North Dakota.  “North Dakota….we have cousins there!” was the response.

And cousins there were!  Mostly girls his age who still have vivid memories of the tornado that would blow through after all the doll houses or game pieces were assembled.

Charly played baseball from Little League thru American Legion and lettered in football and basketball at Cavalier High School, where he graduated in 1971.  He continued playing softball, coaching his niece Renee’s high school softball team.

His affinity for hot cars started with his first purchase in 1971, an Oldsmobile named Trigger that had a hole in the muffler so you could hear him driving through town as he shifted gears.

He worked at the PAR Site, now the Cavalier Air Station, from 1973 – 1976.

In 1976, Charly and his brother Doug moved to the Portland, OR area where their sisters were living.  Bud & Juanita followed shortly thereafter. 

Charly wed Cindy (Longtin) Freschette in 1978 with whom he had the three children.  They were divorced in 1989.

Charly wed Traci Hale in Clackamas, OR on December 12, 1990.

Charly spent most of his career as an HVAC Installation and Sheet metal Technician as a member of Sheet Metal Local #16 retiring in 2012.

While living in Kent, WA he was working in Portland, OR when he located the 1968 GT Mustang that was his pride and joy.  He picked it up a week after his birthday and said it the best birthday present ever!  

After traveling to Portland every week to work for 2 years, Charly and Traci decided to make the move back and landed in Vancouver WA in 2000. 

In 2001 he started building the Ranchero for Traci and completed it in about 2013.  Car shows were a favorite pastime, with the Mustang all over Portland and Vancouver while building the Ranchero. One of his favorite car shows was Beaches at Portland International Raceway on Wednesdays. Both the Ranchero and the Mustang were trophy winners at many shows. 

Charly was a member of the Ranchero Enthusiasts since 1978 and attended yearly gatherings with the Rancheros he built. 

In 2018, he decided to restore his Mustang.  In the process, he discovered that his already rare coupe (only 1194 made with big block and 4 speed) was 1 of 1 when it came off the assembly line. 

His favorite dog by far was his Springer Spaniel Truman who lived to be 16.   Several dogs followed Truman, German Shepherds Ike (the rock hound), Max (the Frisbee fool), and currently Rambo (the heart healer).

While driving by the Korner Street Bar and Grill, Charly and Traci stopped in one day because of all the classic cars in the lot and discovered kindred spirits.  Their friends called them Bama. 

A gathering will be held on February 20 at 2pm at the Korner Street Bar and Grill, 6403 NE St Johns Rd, Vancouver, WA 98661.

Charly was passionate about the Alabama Crimson Tide football team!  Never missing a game, outfitting himself in team colors and Tide clothing!  He would post-game call with his Uncle Pete in Tennessee and there was a very active Facebook page for the family Crimson Tide fanatics!

More than anything, Charly loved his children. Even though the miles between them were a hurdle, they were always in his heart and on his mind.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Cavalier on July 23 at 7pm at the American Legion Hall. 

Charly was larger than life.  The life of the party.  Everyone’s friend.  Oh, the stories there are to be told!

All are invited.  Bring your Charly story to share and we’ll keep the party going!

Roll Tide!