PORTLAND — Frederick “Freddie” Butts Jr., 72, died March 1 at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House with family by his side.
He was born in Portland on May 20, 1936, son of Frederick Butts Sr., and Marie (Landry) Butts.
In 1955, he graduated from Cheverus High School and joined the U.S. Marines.  While serving in the Marines he discovered his first passion in life – boxing. The pinnacle of his boxing career was winning the North East Welter Weight Championship title in 1962.
During his career as a boxer, he met and married Evelyn Ricci, daughter of James and Julia Ricci in August, 1963. They raised three children together, Julia, Frederick III and Mary Ann.
Before his marriage to Evelyn, he started working for the Portland Fire Department, where he served for 22 years. He enjoyed participating in the department sporting teams, as well as the camaraderie and opportunities to play practical jokes on his co-workers. Near the end of his career, he was elected as Fire Department Union President.
He also held another full-time job working for St. Johnsbury Trucking Company so his wife could stay home and raise their children. Despite his long work hours, he was a devoted family man who loved late nights dancing with his wife and their friends, and playing with his children every spare moment he had. He spent much of his life trying to put a smile on the faces of those he loved and cared about.
Much to his delight, in January, 2001, his first grandchild, Ella Julia Butts, was born to his daughter Mary Ann.
He was predeceased by his brother Mossy and his wife Vicky, in-laws, Ann Guimond and Ursula Carson.
He is survived by his wife Evie of Portland; children Julia, Frederick III and Mary Ann; granddaughter Ella; sisters, Dotty Connolly and husband Ed, Jeanette Holmes, and his brothers Gerry and his wife Nancy, Tommy and his wife Lisa, and Johnny and his wife Donna; his wife’s family, Marry Ricci, James Ricci, Dolores Sylvester, Patrick Ricci and Helen Guimond.
Memorial services were held last week.
Memorial donations may be made to Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, 11 Hunnewell Road, Scarborough, ME 04074 or The Salvation Army- Portland, 297 Cumberland Ave., Portland, ME 04101.
Arrangements are by Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland.

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