Herman G. Fries

PITTSFIELD- Herman Gerhard Fries, 79, of Pittsfield passed away peacefully at his home on November 7, 2017 with his devoted wife, Sheila, by his side.

Herm was born in West Peru, ME in 1937 and was the son of Gerhard and Ingeborg Fries.  He grew up in Bridgewater, MA where he attended high school and went on to graduate from New England College.  Herm’s professional career began in the 60’s where he worked for IBM during the formative years of the computer industry.  He would spend his entire career in the computer field working for computer giants such as Digital, RCA, Sperry, and Unisys among others.  His later semi-retirement years were as an independent contractor in the computer department for the Merrimack Valley School District.

Herm enjoyed a very active retirement. He cherished family gatherings and watching his four grandchildren compete in a multitude of activities.  He loved getting together for family events, and would never say “No” to any invitation to a dance recital, softball game, football game, soccer game, scout event, or robotics tournament. 

He was perhaps best known for his obsession with all things tennis.  He was previously a long-time member at the Concord Racquet Club and Bow Brook Club, and more recently he obtained icon-status at Gilford Hills Tennis & Fitness Club where he was at the epicenter of all league activities. Herm played tennis until his final days and would take on all challengers – recently competing with and against players ranging in ages from 11 to 86.

His greatest passion, however, was simply spending time with his beloved wife of 52 years. The pair were married in Bridgewater MA in 1965. They settled in Pittsfield in 1967 and would go on to have three loving children, Lisa (Fries) Albright of Seabrook; Andrew Fries, of Epsom; and Daniel Fries, 46, of San Diego CA.

Herm is predeceased by his two older brothers, Rudolph and Burkhard Fries of Bridgewater, and his younger sister, Marilene White of Prince Edward Island. Along with his wife and three children, Herm is survived by his two son-in-laws, Joe Jamonte of San Diego and Bob Albright of Seabrook, daughter-in-law Lisa (Grainger) Fries of Epsom and four grandchildren, Emily and Fuller Albright and Nathan and Lucas Fries.

Calling Hours will be held on Sunday, November 12th from 2 to 4 P.M. in the Still Oaks Funeral & Memorial Home, 1217 Suncook Valley Highway in Epsom. In lieu of flowers the family has asked that donations be made to the American Heart Association, (http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/).  To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.stilloaks.com

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