Frederick E. Coe, III, 96, of North Smithfield and formerly of Woonsocket, passed away on June 4, 2026, at the HopeHealth Hulitar Hospice Center in Providence.
He was the beloved husband of the late Mildred (Jannoli) Coe, whom he married in May of 1950 and with whom he celebrated 60 wonderful years of marriage. Raised in the Methodist faith, Fred later converted to Catholicism after their marriage, beginning a lifelong, deep devotion to the Catholic Church. Fred and Millie moved to North Smithfield in 1964 before returning to Woonsocket in 2001. Born in Woonsocket, he was the son of the late Cecile (Langelier) Coe and the late Arthur Coe, a Woonsocket Police fingerprint expert. He was also the grandson of the late Woonsocket Police Chief, Frederick E. Coe, Sr.
Fred was a 1946 graduate of Woonsocket High School. He went on to work for The Woonsocket Call for 43 years, retiring in 1989 as a copy editor. A proud veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard, he served during the Korean War and attained the rank of Seaman Second Class.
A devout communicant of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church, Fred served his parish faithfully as a Eucharistic Minister, lector, sacristan, and volunteer for numerous church projects. Alongside his wife, he co-chaired the Catholic Charity Fund Appeal for over 20 years at OLQM, as well as in two other Rhode Island parishes. He was a former president and treasurer of the OLQM Holy Name Society, and treasurer of the St. Vincent de Paul Society at a separate parish. In his youth, Fred served as a past Master Councilor of the Woonsocket Chapter, Order of DeMolay.
Throughout his life, Fred was a dedicated supporter of the Stadium Theatre Foundation and New Beginnings, both of Woonsocket, and the Catholic Foundation of Rhode Island and Meeting Street School, both of Providence. He also generously volunteered his time in the activities department at Overlook Nursing and Rehabilitation in Pascoag and at the Monsignor Gadoury School in Woonsocket. For the last six years, Fred enjoyed being a resident at the Villa at St. Antoine. A true family man, his love never knew any limits, extending far beyond the roles of a supportive husband, son, and brother. He will be long remembered as a kind and generous man who enthusiastically supported many charitable causes.
He is survived by his sister, Jan Frances of Madison, WI, as well as his cherished nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by his sister, Gail Corby.
His funeral will be held on Monday, June 8, 2026, beginning with visitation from 10-11 AM in the Holt Funeral Home, 510 South Main St., Woonsocket. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:30 AM at Holy Trinity Parish, 1409 Park Ave., Woonsocket, or can be viewed live here. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Fred’s name may be made to Meeting Street, The Grace School Scholarship Fund, 1000 Eddy Street, Providence, RI 02905.
www.holtfuneralhome.com
