Obituary of Freeman Charles Byers

Freeman Charles Byers was born on April 20, 1931 on the Byers Homestead in Fredericton Junction, the only son of Alma Viola (Harron) and Donald Frederick Byers. He was blessed with Super Parents and had three wonderful sisters: Doris Pauline Mersereau (Treston), Beryl Alexandria (Norrad) Tracy (Kenneth) and Janet Irene McCann (Bernard). They did not have many idle moments growing up on the farm. In the early 1930's Father and Mother bought a sawmill, and sawed lumber during the winter months. In 1940 Dad acquired a milk route at Fredericton Junction. We had a dairy herd of Holstein cattle approximately 25 head. The family was up at 4:30 am every morning to milk the cows (by hand at first), have breakfast, and then help deliver milk to the many customers in Fredericton Junction before going to school. It was during our young years that our cousins from the USA would come over and spend their summer holidays with us. We had fun but there was lots of work; haying, weeding, picking potatoes etc. My sisters worked on the farm as hard as my parents and I. I sometimes got a chance to play softball and a good friend Don Smith and I played in a local league for a few years. I have great memories of those days. The rainy or dark days when they couldn't cut down or put hay in, Freeman's favorite pastime was fishing for trout in Scribner Brook, many times just him. Freeman graduated from Sunbury Grammar School in Fredericton Junction in 1948. He walked to and from school with his sisters and the kids from next door every day for the entire eleven years. It was probably a distance of two miles one way. Following graduation Freeman spent on year at home assisting on the farm. Then he returned to school and upgraded to grade 12 graduating in 1950. He taught school on a local license for one year at Clarendon, grades 1-9. In June 1951 Freeman went to work for the Royal Bank at Fredericton Junction. During the next five years, he worked in Moncton, Campbellton and Montreal. Freeman left the bank in Montreal on March 31, 1956 and returned home to help his parents on the farm. Since farming was long hours of hard work with little pay, he decided to seek other employment. This is when he began working with Irving Oil Co. on January 6, 1957. He then also started dating his wonderful wife Betty McCullum in July of '56 and they were married on June 28, 1958. I guess you could say Betty and Freeman had a bit of gypsy in them as they have lived in Saint John (East and West), Fairvale, Belleisle Creek, Hammond River, Fredericton Junction and now Sussex Corner. Freeman was actively involved with softball during his early years with Irving Oil Co. and pitched many games for the Moosehead Breweries and the "Irving Oilers". Betty and Freeman also bowled with the Irving Oil Bowling team for several years. Freeman retired on February 11, 1993 after thirty-six years with the company where he made many long-lasting friends and truly enjoyed his years. It was with fond memories he looked back over the years and remembered the many friends they had made and the good times they had and although many have passed on, we still hold them close in our hearts. Freeman will live on in the hearts of his loving wife of 61 years, Elizabeth "Betty" (McCullum) Byers; his daughter, Susan Alcorn and her husband Stephen of Belleisle Creek; two sons: David and his wife Tina of Kingston and Don and his wife Beverly of Beaver Dam, NB; his sisters: Doris Mersereau of Fredericton Junction and Janet McCann of Harvey; his brothers-in-law: Ron McCullum and his wife Judy of Hoyt and Wesley Cosman of Grand Bay-Westfield; his sister-in-law, Grace Pugh; his grandchildren: Danny, Sarah, Jennifer, Michael, Emily, Devin, Luke and Bradley; his great grandchildren: Grady and Fisher; as well as several nieces and nephews. It is with sad hearts we announce the passing of Freeman Charles Byers at the Sussex Health Center on December 20, 2019 at the age of 88. Along with his parents: Freeman is predeceased by his sister, Beryl Tracy, his brothers-in-laws: Treston Mersereau, Bernie McCann, Kenneth Tracy, Fenton Norrad and Lawrie Pugh and by his sister-in-law, Florence Cosman. Arrangements have been entrusted to the compassionate care of Wallace Funeral Home, 34 Sunnyside Drive, Sussex, (506-433-1176) where visitation will be held on Friday, January 3, 2020 from 1-3 and 6-8pm. If you are considering making a memorial donation in memory of Freeman, the family has requested the charity of your choice. Condolences to the family and donations may be made through WallaceFuneralHome.com We would like to extend sincere gratitude to Dr Kevin G Smith and the entire staff of the Sussex Health Centre, south wing for their exceptional care and compassion.