Life Story for John "Jack" W. Friberg
John Wallace Friberg
John “Jack” W. Friberg passed away on Sunday August 18, 2019 surrounded by family at home in Parkdale, Oregon after a two year battle with leukemia.
Jack was born in Worcester, Massachusetts on January 12, 1943 to Ethel I. (Johnson) and Wallace H. Friberg. He grew up in Millbury, MA and after high school joined the Coast Guard Reserves. He worked as a supervisor for Norton Company in Worcester, MA for more than 30 years before retiring to Otisfield, ME, and subsequently Oregon. He married Kristina M. Bäckström on August 19, 1967 in Worcester, MA and they were married for 52 years. He is survived by his wife Kristina; his daughter Ingrid Friberg, and granddaughter Kajsa; and his son, Erik Friberg and his wife Tanya, grandson Jack and granddaughter Kayla. He is also survived by his sisters, Joanne Westlund and husband Bruce, of Hubbardston, MA; and Jane Ross and husband Thomas, of Glenwood, MD, as well as several nieces and nephews and their children.
Jack was truly a hard worker, skilled in both electrical work and carpentry. He generously shared his skills with friends and family. When building a deck in Maryland for family, he was mistaken for being a contractor. In Maine, his architectural drawings were accepted without hesitation.
A perpetual steward of the environment, he put his beliefs into action - installing solar cells before they were popular, recycling whenever possible, and purchasing a hybrid car in 2007. In his spare time, he was also an avid outdoorsman, successfully hunting more than 50 deer and elk over his career, and spending many hours fishing and cultivating blueberry bushes.
Jack was also a true New England sports fan, enjoying every aspect of Patriots football and Red Sox baseball, win or lose. He was a careful reader, remembering every detail of the military history books he collected. Yet none of his interests outweighed his love for family, spending many hours on vacation with his parents, and supporting his children. In later years, he was focused on his three grandchildren, attending as many of their activities as possible.
A private family committal service will be held at the Rural Glen Cemetery in Hubbardston, Massachusetts. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to CancerFreeKids, referencing the Butterfly Walk.
Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center (Funerals • Receptions • Cremations) 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031.
Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.
John “Jack” W. Friberg passed away on Sunday August 18, 2019 surrounded by family at home in Parkdale, Oregon after a two year battle with leukemia.
Jack was born in Worcester, Massachusetts on January 12, 1943 to Ethel I. (Johnson) and Wallace H. Friberg. He grew up in Millbury, MA and after high school joined the Coast Guard Reserves. He worked as a supervisor for Norton Company in Worcester, MA for more than 30 years before retiring to Otisfield, ME, and subsequently Oregon. He married Kristina M. Bäckström on August 19, 1967 in Worcester, MA and they were married for 52 years. He is survived by his wife Kristina; his daughter Ingrid Friberg, and granddaughter Kajsa; and his son, Erik Friberg and his wife Tanya, grandson Jack and granddaughter Kayla. He is also survived by his sisters, Joanne Westlund and husband Bruce, of Hubbardston, MA; and Jane Ross and husband Thomas, of Glenwood, MD, as well as several nieces and nephews and their children.
Jack was truly a hard worker, skilled in both electrical work and carpentry. He generously shared his skills with friends and family. When building a deck in Maryland for family, he was mistaken for being a contractor. In Maine, his architectural drawings were accepted without hesitation.
A perpetual steward of the environment, he put his beliefs into action - installing solar cells before they were popular, recycling whenever possible, and purchasing a hybrid car in 2007. In his spare time, he was also an avid outdoorsman, successfully hunting more than 50 deer and elk over his career, and spending many hours fishing and cultivating blueberry bushes.
Jack was also a true New England sports fan, enjoying every aspect of Patriots football and Red Sox baseball, win or lose. He was a careful reader, remembering every detail of the military history books he collected. Yet none of his interests outweighed his love for family, spending many hours on vacation with his parents, and supporting his children. In later years, he was focused on his three grandchildren, attending as many of their activities as possible.
A private family committal service will be held at the Rural Glen Cemetery in Hubbardston, Massachusetts. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to CancerFreeKids, referencing the Butterfly Walk.
Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center (Funerals • Receptions • Cremations) 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031.
Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.