Some 500 members of the local area and the public safety community were in attendance at St. Vincent DePaul Church to pay their final respects to local resident John Joseph Freidhoff on Thursday, September 25.

Freidhoff died in a diving accident in Lake Ontario on Friday, September 19. More than 200 uniformed Coast Guard, law enforcement and fire service representatives stood shoulder-to-shoulder lining the driveway of the church on South Creek Road in North Evans as the hearse and family arrived.

John was 46-years old and a 12-year veteran of the Lake Erie Beach Volunteer Fire Company in the Town of Evans.

There were so many agencies and facets of John's life represented amongst the crowd of nearly 500 that filled the church. Several people commented that while they all knew John in some way, it became apparent that they each only really knew a sliver of the total man that he was.

John was an active firefighter, emergency medical technician, hazardous materials technician, a Coast Guard Reservist and active with the ALERT-Advanced Local Emergency Rescue Team organization. John was also a Cub Scout leader, softball coach and church youth leader; and was lead boat captain and field station manager for Buffalo State College’s Great Lakes Center for Environmental Research and Education, which he was working for at the time of his death.

John was eulogized first by Captain Jeff Ogden of the 9^th District of the United States Coast Guard who spoke of John’s dedication to his country and his fellow guardsmen. The Captain commented on John’s ability and success in balancing everything that he did in his life, always prioritizing and keeping God and his family first amongst all the varied activities he was involved in.
Rev. Stephen Ridge, John’s pastor and personal friend from the First Church of Evans, commented that many people have a lot of time, but few have the energy to make such good use of it like John did. Pastor Ridge spoke of John’s commitment to his congregation as a Sunday school teacher for high school age children, a men’s group leader and his leadership in Cub Scout Pack and Boy Scout Troop 578 sponsored by the church.

Pastor Ridge related how John took everything very seriously in his life, but always smiled, laughed and loved to tickle and be playful. John never met anyone who didn’t soon become his friend. A long-time Coast Guard friend also told many tales of both John’s humorous side and his ability to fix anything and everything.

One, of the most touching moments of the day was when John’s 10-year old son, Joseph John, was escorted up on to the altar to accept the Ninth District Coast Guard Coin from Captain Ogden.

The Commander leaned down and handed the coin to the boy, telling him that it was the same coin that his father had received for his dedicated service and that the Coast Guard wanted him to have one too, so that John's tradition of service to his country and community would be carried on from generation to generation.

Another stirring moment took place outside the church after the service and during the traditional flag folding and presentation ceremony. With his mother's hand draped over his left shoulder, Joseph John stood and saluted right along with the 200+ military, law enforcement and fire personnel standing in formation, strikingly reminiscent of the photo of John F. Kennedy Jr. saluting at his father's funeral some 44 years ago.

The boy was unwavering during the ceremony and you could see that his pride in his father, and his father's pride in him, was beaming forth. There is no doubt that John was able to instill the right values in his son in the 10 short years they were together and that Joseph John will carry on his father's singular and unselfish mission of serving others.

In addition to his fellow Coast Guardsmen, representatives from the US Border Patrol, US Customs, Niagara (Ontario) EMS, A.L.E.R.T., Fort Erie Fire Department, and the Chicago Fire Department; and dozens of local firefighters were on hand to pay tribute to their fallen comrade.

Lt. Commander Friedhoff leaves behind his wife Vicky, also a Lake Erie Beach Firefighter, and four children: Melissa, Jessica, Shauna and Joseph.

The wake, procession and service were beautifully coordinated by Lt. Timothy Pratt, Lt. Christopher Sweeney and Chief Roger Rebman of the US Coast Guard; and John Latimore and Joe Schiavone of Latimore-Schiavone Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Lake Erie Beach Volunteer Fire Co., 9483 Lakeshore Rd., Angola, NY 14006 in John's memory.

Members of the United States Coast Guard Honor Detail fold the American Flag for presentation to John Freidhoff’s family as hundreds of firefighters, law enforcement and military personnel salute. Photo Courtesy of: US Coast Guard Public Affairs

Chief Roger Rebman salutes Captain Jeff Ogden after passing the folded flag for presentation to John Freidhoff’s wife Vicky. Photo Courtesy of: US Coast Guard Public Affairs

By: Tiger Schmittendorf