Max Frei

            Max Frei, M.D., 90, of Gardner, died peacefully Monday, March 25, 2019 in his residence, with his wife Louise by his side. 

            Born in Zurich, Switzerland on September 29, 1928, he was the son of the late Albert and Helena (Maier) Frei. He was educated in Switzerland and graduated from Gymnasium (secondary school) in 1948. He received his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1955 from the University of Zurich Medical School. Dr. Frei started his graduate training in the United States at Queens General Hospital of New York City where he completed a rotating internship. He was appointed to the surgical service of the Beverly Hospital and served as chief resident in surgery in 1961. The following year he was resident surgeon at the Cancer Division of the Western Massachusetts Hospital of Westfield. Following the completion of his appointment at Western Massachusetts Hospital, Dr. Frei and his wife moved to Gardner where he practiced general surgery until 1989. During his years in Gardner, he had a private practice and later was on the staff of Heywood Hospital where he also served as Chief of Staff. Dr. Frei was a member of the American Medical Association, the Massachusetts Medical Association, and was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.

            Dr. Frei was a member of Annunciation Parish/Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church of Gardner. He enjoyed traveling, playing the piano, reading and spending time on the computer. Dr. Frei cherished spending time with his family whom he loved dearly.

            He leaves his wife of 62 years, Louise M. (Robichaud) Frei of Gardner; daughters, Ann Frei McLaughlin and her husband David of Amherst, and Christine Frei Drum and her husband Kelly of Fort Lauderdale, FL; grandchildren, Kathleen, Caroline and Elizabeth McLaughlin, and Clark, Olivia, Sophie and Cole Drum; several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his brother, Walter Frei.

            Funeral Services will be held Saturday, March 30th from the Boucher Funeral Home, Inc., 110 Nichols Street, Gardner with a Mass at 11:00 a.m. in Annunciation Parish/Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church, 135 Nichols Street, Gardner. Burial will be in Notre Dame Cemetery of Gardner at a later date.

            A calling hour will be held Saturday, March 30th from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in the funeral home.

            Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to Annunciation Parish, 135 Nichols Street, Gardner, MA 01440. Please reference in memory of Max Frei, M.D.