SCARBOROUGH – Stephen Robert Freese, born on April 22, 1969 and passed away on Feb. 2, 2022, grew up in Scarborough, where he went to Scarborough High School, loved working at Ken’s Seafood with his brother Rick and spent a lot of his time working at his parent’s convenience store down at Pine Point, which sparked his interest in being a business owner. In 1987, he began attending Thomas College and graduated in 1991 with a degree in business management. While there, he excelled in soccer and hockey, forming some of the most meaningful friendships of his entire life, as they lovingly referred to him as “Frame”. In 1997, Steve, with the guidance of his wonderful friend and mentor, Fred Forsley, of Shipyard Brewing, he established Portland Pie Company on India Street in Portland with his close college friends Nat Getchell and Phil Pelletier. Soon after, they formed their own dough business together “It’ll Be Pizza” in Scarborough. After 20 successful years in the restaurant business, they sold Portland Pie Company and have been devoting their time and energy to It’ll Be Pizza. In February 1999, Steve delivered Nora a PPC pizza and she ordered MANY more pizzas and sandwiches until he finally got the hint that it wasn’t just the food she liked. He married Nora (Colton) Freese in 2002 and became a very proud father to son, Colton and daughter, Lilah. His love for his children was evident as they were his entire world. From the sidelines of any sport they played, he would be there, cheering them on. He loved to laugh with them and did everything he could to support them in their choices, he was such a devoted dad.His love of animals was proven by all the pets his family adopted over the years, there wasn’t a dog on Earth he didn’t love.They did a lot of traveling with friends and family, from football games to national parks, Ireland, the Caribbean Islands and many fun places in between. His favorite trip was to Moose Head Ranch in Wyoming, where he sneezed so loud he startled his horse which then threw him off its back, leaving his boot left dangling in the stirrup. He was one of the funniest people on the planet. Steve loved playing Morning Hockey with his loyal friend, Gerry Nadeau, and awesome teammates at the Family Ice Center in Falmouth, where he was nicknamed “Fireball Freese” or “Freesy” and was famous for his toe drag snap shot. Playing cards was always a great time for Steve, whether it was at someone’s kitchen table or a Vegas casino, accompanied by his amazing life long friends Shawn Boulet, Jamie Chapman, Jay Brunetti, Phil Pelletier, his best friend and brother, Rick Freese. Foxwoods will never ever be the same!The world will be forever changed by the loss of this kind, generous, dedicated, loyal, trustworthy and genuinely hilarious guy. He enriched the lives of all who knew and loved him and will be sorely missed by everyone. Just a solid, honest, wonderful man who kept his word, sealed a deal with a handshake, and made the world a better place just by being in it.Steve was predeceased by his mother, Peg (Turner) Freese; and is survived by his wife, Nora; son, Colton and daughter, Lilah; his father, Wesley Freese; his brother, Wesley Freese Jr. and wife Luzmilla; his brother, Richard Freese and wife Amy (who was like a sister to him) and daughters Emily and Abby (who affectionately nicknamed him “Uncle Cindy”); and “Gramma” Kim Darling; his parents-in-law Tom and Jane Colton; brother-in-law, Tommy and wife Lori; sister-in-law Jill Colton-Spina, Sam Spina and children Sophia, Dominic and Ava (who affectionately nicknamed him “Uncle Winky”) ; sister-in-law and great friend, Sarah Colton and son Cameron. No services will be held at this time. There will be a celebration of his life at a later date, in true Steve style, with warm sun, cold beer and flip flops.In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:The Animal Refuge League217 Landing RdWestbrook, ME 04092 orThe Center forGrieving Children555 Forest AvePortland, ME 04101

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