Frederick Conti, a beloved volunteer at Maine Medical Center in Portland, who gave more than 4,000 hours of service and dedicated his life to helping others, died on Sunday. He was 94.

Mr. Conti volunteered at Maine Med for more than nine years. He served in various departments throughout the hospital, including the admitting office, radiation therapy office, and the joint replacement area. In 2010, he received the Volunteer Service Award .

“He was a volunteer that was not just here for the patients and families, but also for the staff,” said Kathy Berube, director of volunteer services at Maine Med. “He was a kind, caring and upbeat guy. He was very well loved here by many people.”

Mr. Conti, of Windham, was remembered by loved ones Thursday as the kind of guy who went above and beyond to help others. He was the guy who would shovel a neighbor’s walkway after a snowstorm, or anonymously leave a gift for someone in need, or sit with a patient undergoing radiation treatment at Maine Med.

“That was his life,” said his wife, Vi Conti of Windham. “He helped anyone that needed it. There was no hesitation on his part. He was happy to help.”

Mr. Conti was involved in numerous civic organizations, including the Knights of Columbus Council 10020. He was also a fourth-degree member of Assembly 3215. He was an active member and volunteer at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Windham, where he served as head usher at the 4 p.m. Mass on Saturdays.

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Mr. Conti and his wife were married for 43 years. They lived on Sebago Lake in Windham for the past 12 years, and wintered in West Palm Beach, Florida, for 20 years. In Florida, he volunteered at Good Samaritan Hospital for eight years. His wife said he made a difference in people’s lives. He was a three-time cancer survivor.

“He was able to show by his survival that there was hope,” his wife said. “It was a good message for people.”

Mr. Conti had a passion for life and lived it to its fullest. At the lake, he enjoyed sailing and watching the sunset. While volunteering, he enjoyed sitting with people, sharing stories and laughing.

Another highlight of his life was playing golf. He was a lifetime member of the Poland Spring Country Club and a founder of the Maine Open Golf tournament. He was the official starter for 12 years. At age 84, he landed his first hole-in-one.

His wife chuckled, recalling the name with which he usually introduced himself: “Frederico, Guiseppe, Giovanni, Faltissimo, Re, Zigomondo, Bumbellini Conti.” She said he was charming, funny and down-to-earth.

“He was my hero and my best friend,” his wife said. “We laughed a lot together. … He was a romantic. Frank Sinatra would come on. I would turn around and we would dance around the kitchen.”

 


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