Borough of Naugatuck Has Lost Beloved Educator

Naugatuck, CT - The Naugatuck Education Foundation has announced the death of the NEF Chairman Fred Scheithe. Mr. Scheithe passed away on Easter morning.

"We were deeply saddened to hear about the death of Naugatuck Education Foundation Chairman Fred Scheithe yesterday after his long battle with cancer. A former teacher, basketball coach, and all-around advocate for Naugatuck's children, Fred will be greatly missed."

Mr. Scheithe was honored last Friday with a Car Convoy. His wife Jeanne had given her blessing to this honor arranged by former students.

Ken Stone, recently honored by with the Franklin Johnson Citizenship Awardalong with his wife Jen, posted this moving tribute on his Facebook page.

The world & more importantly our community lost a great man this early Easter morning.
Mr. Fred Scheithe was a teacher, coach, friend, husband & best friend to my favorite teacher Mrs. Jeanne Scheithe.

There's no doubt if you're from Naugatuck you have a lasting memory of Mr. & Mrs. Scheithe.
I've sat in your class, played on Hillside's baseball team you coached & tore up the gym floor at the dances you DJ!!!

Mr. Scheithe was definitely the "Cool" teacher when you were at Hillside Middle School.
The Scheithes would watch your little league games, attended your 8th grade graduation party, high school graduation and send you a birthday card in the mail every year you got older.

As you got older they were there on your wedding day, when your first born came into this crazy world & always seem to be at all the milestones in your life as the years went on.

I have great memories of you & your beautiful wife that I will hold onto for the rest of my life!
Thank you for being you! I'm a better person, husband, father & coach for knowing you Mr. S
I'm glad I was able to spend some time with you the other day & have a short conversation with you one last time!

Till we meet again! Rest easy my friend!!

Former student Kyle Gunnison posted this heartfelt message this morning:

It's so difficult to type this. My dear friend and teacher has lost his 6 year cancer battle this morning. He meant so much to the entire Naugatuck community! He was so lucky to have a wife like Mrs. Scheithe. I'm so grateful I got to spend some time with you both yesterday. Mr. Scheithes legacy with never die! Rest in Peace

Tina Dambowski posted

It's with a very heavy heart that I have to say Mr. Scheithe passed early this Easter morning. He fought a very hard fight right till the end. I am beyond grateful he was able to see everyone in the car convoy on Friday. The town of Naugatuck lost a great one.

Mr. Fred Scheithe you are loved so much and extremely missed already. You are now at peace and no long in pain.

Mrs. Jeanne Scheithe you have a whole town who are here for you. Please reach out when needed.

To the Naugatuck Community let's do what we can to help Mrs. Scheithe through this very difficult time. She asked us to be there for her in the coming weeks and months so let's do that for her.

And lastly on the day of the car convoy...the reporters interviewed Mr. Scheithe.

Check for a video taken by Ms. Dambowski on her Facebook page. "I wanted to keep it to myself but I decided I needed to share this with everyone because we could all use a laugh right about now."

R.I.P. Mr. Schiethe
Stay strong Mrs. Scheithe
#ScheitheStrong #NaugyStrong