[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 124 (Friday, September 14, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1543]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING KEVIN FRECHETTE

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 14, 2012

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, at the request of the 
colleagues and friends of Kevin Frechette of Howell, New Jersey, I 
submit the fitting tribute they composed following the sad news of his 
passing at the young age of 52.

  Kevin Frechette, Government Relations Executive, New Jersey Public 
    Service Activist, Life-Long Monmouth County Resident Passes Away

       Kevin Frechette, 52, of Howell, NJ, passed away peacefully 
     at his home on September 5, 2012. Mr. Frechette, who leaves 
     behind a beloved son, Kyle Frechette, also of Howell, a 
     student at Ramapo College, was a Senior Vice President and 
     General Manager at MWW, an independent global public 
     relations firms with offices across the nation including a 
     headquarters in East Rutherford and an office in Trenton, NJ.
       Mr. Frechette ran MWW's Trenton office and worked for the 
     company for 12 years. As a member of the firm, Mr. Frechette 
     was influential in the creation and funding of NJ211, a toll-
     free, state-assisted hotline that directs New Jersey 
     residents to available community resources, and was critical 
     in successful efforts to curb the privatization of the New 
     Jersey Turnpike. A respected and knowledgeable figure at the 
     Statehouse in Trenton, noted for his sense of humor, good 
     nature and humility, he was a consultant to many leading New 
     Jersey businesses and nonprofits such as NJCURE, Parsons 
     Corporation, the New Jersey State Library, the Jewish 
     Federation of New Jersey and dozens of other prominent 
     organizations. In a previous career, Kevin served as a court 
     house and political reporter at the Daily Register of 
     Monmouth County.
       Before joining MWW, Mr. Frechette spent eight years as the 
     Deputy Director of Press and District Operations in the New 
     Jersey General Assembly Majority Office, where he worked with 
     lawmakers on issues of media relations, marshaling district 
     resources, connecting with constituents and overall 
     communications strategies. He also served as Chief of Staff 
     to NJ Assemblyman and later State Senator Joe Kyrillos.
       Mr. Frechette was born in Holy Name Hospital in Teaneck, NJ 
     and grew up and lived in Monmouth County nearly all his life. 
     He was a product of Holmdel Township Schools and also lived 
     in Little Silver, Red Bank and, most recently, Howell, New 
     Jersey.
       He received a degree in Mass Communications from St. 
     Bonaventure University. Active in politics at a young age, he 
     served in Student Government in Holmdel High School where he 
     also played a leading role in the school's production of 
     ``Bye Bye Birdie.'' His family members were long-time 
     parishioners at St. Catherine's Church in Holmdel, NJ.
       Among friends, Mr. Frechette was known for his sharp wit 
     and sense of humor, but also for the truly selfless way he 
     cared for people. Even while sick, he would visit friends in 
     the hospital as if his illness was irrelevant. Mr. Frechette 
     was known for being very honorable with a relentless work 
     ethic in every aspect of life; it earned him the respect and 
     love of all he came in touch with. Ultimately, Mr. Frechette 
     had two great passions in life, his son Kyle, over whom he 
     doted, and music, which he collected and immersed himself in 
     throughout his life.
       In addition to his son Kyle, Mr. Frechette leaves behind 
     his parents, Charles Frechette, a former manager at Anchor 
     Glass, and his mother, Virginia Bishop Frechette, formerly 
     the assistant editor of The Catholic Digest, and author of 
     the children's book, ``Fighting Father Duffy.'' He is 
     survived by five loving siblings, all of whom adored him, Pam 
     Galiastro (husband: Frank,); Robin Kjersgaard; Jim Frechette; 
     Charles ``Chip'' Frechette (wife Donna); Chris Frechette 
     (wife Heidi); Ami Miano (late husband Charles); Kelly 
     Davidson (husband: Alistair), and six nieces and nephews: 
     Farrah Rizzo, Jamie and Kristen Galiastro; Ryan Kjersgaard; 
     and Tara and Noah Miano. Mr. Frechette is a grandson of the 
     late Jim Bishop, the syndicated columnist and author of 22 
     books, including ``The Day Christ Died'' and ``The Day 
     Lincoln Was Shot.''

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