Thomas Marino Fraites, 73, died on July 13, 2025 in Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin. Tom was a scholar, lifelong learner, athlete, and an extremely caring person. He was born in Arlington, VA, graduated from Bishop O’Connell High School where he participated in football and wrestling. In high school Tom was awarded most valuable player all Catholic league for his accomplishments in football. Tom loved football. In college, most, if not all, of his Saturdays and Sundays were watching football. His college team was Notre Dame. If Notre Dame was having a bad week, Tom was having a bad week. It was his passion. That never changed even as he grew older.
Tom graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Superior with a degree in Sociology. It should come as no surprise to anyone who knew him that he graduated with a 4.0. He was so smart, he told math jokes, who tells a math joke? After graduation he moved to Minneapolis working for an employment agency. Tom’s next big step was to join the Navy, he loved it, rules and regulations were something he ascribed to in his life. Tom loved being on, or near water, it was what made him the happiest. After the Navy, he enrolled at Old Dominion University where he received a master’s degree. He went on to work with families of special needs children. He later taught English to South Koreans and later members of the Saudi military. Recently, Tom was a greeter at Walmart where he was loved by customers and employees who would stop just to chat and catch up.
Tom loved the outdoors and could frequently be seen in flannel shirts, preferably red plaid ones. One of his favorite movies was Jeremiah Johnson; imagining himself to be a hardy woodman. He once attempted to cut down a tree in the woods, it did not go well. He thought yelling “Timber” was only in the movies. It was a running joke for years.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, James and Eleanor (Dallatore) Fraites.
He is survived by his beloved friends Alex Miller-Otto, Sammy Huibregste, Trevor Gohr and his lifelong friend Candy Hemmerling.
Arrangements are being handled by Reinbold-Novak Funeral Home in Sheboygan, WI. Memorials should be given to the loves of Tom’s life, his dogs. A donation to the Sheboygan Humane Society would be a perfect tribute.
A memorial service will be held for Tom at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 30, 2025 at Reinbold-Novak Funeral Home, 1535 S. 12th St., Sheboygan, with military honors provided by VFW Post 9156. Thomas’ final resting place will be at Calvary Cemetery in Sandusky, OH.
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