Thomas Frederick, a shareholder and vice president of operations at Wright-Ryan Construction Inc., who oversaw the development of dozens of landmark buildings across Maine, died on Monday. He was 56.

Mr. Frederick was named vice president of operations in 2004. He led the teams that developed and built numerous schools and universities, hospitals, hotels and office buildings throughout Maine. He left his mark throughout Portland with the development of the Press Hotel and the CIEE Building at Custom House Square. He was instrumental in the development of Wishcamper Center, Muskie School of Public Service and the Osher Map Library at the University of Southern Maine. He was also involved in projects at Cony High School in Augusta, Mt. Blue Learning Center in Farmington, and the Inn by the Sea expansion and renovation in Cape Elizabeth.

THOMAS FREDERICK Oversaw the development of dozens of landmark buildings across the state

Related Headlines

• Feature obituaries from the Portland Press Herald

“Anyone who knew him would say he had a prodigious appetite for work,” said John Ryan, president of the firm. “He had an extraordinary ability to wade into the most complex problem, and distill it down into its essence, and quickly settle on a course to resolve it. At the end of the day, it’s about planning and landing on your feet when the plan breaks down. It’s a series of one challenge after another. Tom would jump in with both feet and get it resolved … a lot of times without breaking a sweat.”

Mr. Frederick had nearly 30 years experience in the construction industry. He previously served as president of Granger Northern Inc., a commercial general contractor, for six years.

He was a loving husband of Audrey Johnson for 30 years. The couple lived in Scarborough and raised two children, Sam, 18, a recent graduate of Waynflete; and Edie, 16, a junior at Scarborough High School.

His wife reminisced Wednesday about their life together. She said they got their kids involved in skiing at a young age and went skiing every weekend at Sugarloaf for eight years. She said her husband enjoyed bicycling, wind surfing, running, swimming and playing golf. He was also a big supporter of his kids’ academic and athletic endeavors.

“He was the best father,” his wife said. “He was always doing something outside with the kids.”

Mr. Frederick was a dedicated board member and leader for the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Portland. He served 15 years on the club’s board of trustees and gave generously to support its mission. A hallmark of his service was overseeing the renovation of South Portland Clubhouse, where he was an alumni.

Mr. Frederick was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in September 2014. He underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatment, along with surgeries and other life-extending treatments. One of his goals was seeing his son graduate from high school. Another was outliving his mother, Anne Frederick of South Portland, who died on Oct. 12 at age 93. He and his mother were at Gosnell Hospice House at the same time.

On the day of his mother’s wake and burial service, Mr. Frederick’s many siblings and in-laws helped him through the day. “It’s so amazing that you can have a close family with that many kids and spouses,” his wife said.

She also reflected on the upcoming Christmas holiday. “My son and his girlfriend went and chopped down a Christmas tree. It doesn’t have any lights on it. It’s on a stand. It’s in the house. It’s progress. We will celebrate Christmas.”

Visiting hours will be held from 3 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Saltwater Grille, 231 Front St. in South Portland. A mass will be celebrated at 1 p.m. Monday at St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish, 150 Black Point Road in Scarborough.

Related Stories