June 27, 2012 (Winchester, NH) – John J. Frado, Jr., 67 of Winchester, NH died at home June 20th in his wife’s arms as a result of complications from a traumatic brain injury incurred in December while building a barn for his beloved tractor “Moose.”

He leaves his wife Chris Hall Frado and their daughter Rebecca Pratt, son-in-law Richard Pratt, grandchildren Bradley, Reilly, and Olivia Pratt of Winchester, two sisters, Kathleen Sousa and her husband Bill of Seekonk, MA and Rev. Cynthia Frado and her husband James Walker of Amherst, MA, and many nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by a sister, Madeline Jeffress, and his parents, John and Eva Diaz Frado, all of Somerset, MA.

John was born in Fall River, MA and was raised on his grandfather’s extended family farm in neighboring Somerset. He received an Associates Degree in Arborculture from Stockbridge School of Agriculture, and from the University of Massachusetts, a B.A. in Park Management, and a M.S. in Resource Planning. He attended college on scholarships for both football and rodeo.

He pursued careers as a rodeo bull rider, a smoke jumper for the US Forest Service, a logger, a cattle rancher, a firefighter and ambulance attendant for the Amherst, MA Fire Department, land planner and recreation supervisor for Northeast Utilities/Northfield Mountain, and in his later years as a principal for his consulting firm, Nordic Group International, a land planning and recreation trail design company.

John was a visionary who so enjoyed planning and creating whether it was a multi-million dollar, four-season, multi-use recreation trail system or designing and building a driveway for a friend’s home. He was instrumental in the founding of Cross Country Ski Areas Association and the development of the Nordic divisions of the National Ski Patrol and the Professional Ski Instructors of America.

He was an avid outdoorsman who liked time in the woods, cross-country skiing, telemark skiing, rock climbing, spelunking, archery, wilderness paddling, and kayaking. He was also a sculptor working with wood and stone as well as a builder of timber-frame structures. Due to his unique talents as a trail designer John served his country overseas during the Vietnam War as a civilian consultant.

John enjoyed reading, rock collecting, and traveling. He was a consummate storyteller with a great sense of humor. He will be remembered for his humility, friendship, strength, intelligence, passion, sense of adventure and exploration, and a sweet tooth as big as his head of curly hair.

Donations in John’s memory can be made to the Brain Trauma Foundation HERE.

A celebration of his life, “John’s Last Hurrah” will be held on Monday, July 30, 3pm at the Northfield Mountain Pavilion (designed by John), next to the Riverview Picnic Area in Northfield, MA. All are welcomed to come join in celebrating John’s life and sharing pot-luck desserts.