Obituary of Stephen Frazier

Stephen B. Frazier, founder of Frazier Sheet Metal Company, passed away from complications from a long struggle with Parkinson’s Disease on Sunday night, March 23, 2014. He was 76 years old. Steve was born in Lawrence the son of the late Stephen and Dorothy Frazier. He grew up in Stoneham and was a graduate of Stoneham High School. It was in high school that he met his future wife, Jean Harrington. They dated as he attended Wentworth Institute of Technology and served in the National Guard. What Steve discovered was that he was a self-motivated hands on person and chose to learn the sheet metal trade. He learned the trade from his father-in-law, Walter Harrington, who owned Harrington Bros. Sheet Metal. He spent 4 years apprenticing and 30 years learning the craft and business. He learned to work with aluminum, carbon steel, stainless steel and galvanized metals. He learned how to read blueprints, production, managing crews, negotiations, and sales. He was a member of the Sheet metal workers, Local 17 for well over 50 years. In 1990 he founded his own company, Frazier Sheet Metal, Inc. in Wilmington. He ran a union shop with an average of 20 employees, and sometimes much higher depending on the number of contracts and size of projects. He concentrated his efforts in HVAC and sheet metal projects in commercial and industrial construction. He worked on new construction and renovations at Boston area hospitals and schools. He put a lot of men to work over the years and ran a successful business. What he was proudest of was like his father-in-law, was working with his sons. He taught them the trade and business, the value of hard work, and then passed his business to them. Steve was very proud to see his business, Frazier Sheet Metal, continuing to thrive under the leadership of his sons. Stephen’s drive to succeed was in part to provide the best for his family. He and his high school sweetheart, raised their children in Burlington and worked together to create a strong foundation for his children to grow and thrive. Working and playing hard was a way of life for Stephen. He couldn’t sit still and was always working on projects with his family. There are countless sheds in the yards of his family and friends built with the help of Stephen. He, with the help of his sons built a lake front home on Lake Winnipesaukee. That home has been the summer gathering place for the Frazier’s for 34 years. It was a place where he could unwind, and let out his funny and joking personality. Steve was well known for his large array of comical “One Liners” which he shared with his children and grandchildren. The lake also gave him the opportunity to pursue his passion for boating. Over the years, he had a wide array of boats, which always seemed to get faster. His last boat on the lake was a red Checkmate. He spent hours on the lake, cruising, exploring, pulling kids on water skis and tubes. If Steve was at the helm, you were guaranteed an eventful ride. His retirement years were spent wintering in Punta Gorda, Florida where he owned a home and a boat. He enjoyed going on cruises with his wife and friends. He enjoyed the many rewards he earned, but more so enjoyed sharing his gifts with his many family and friends. Stephen was the loving husband of 53 years to Jean L. (Harrington) Frazier. He was the loving father of Stephen M. & his wife Lori of Sandown, NH, Mark & his wife Kathleen of Tewksbury, Paul & his wife Susan of Salem, NH, and Christine Otis & her husband Douglas of Woburn. He was the brother of Gwen Frazier of Marshfield. He was the Proud Papa to Sean, Justin, Michael, Timothy, Allison, Meredith, Kenneth, & Brian Frazier, Michelle Mulvanity, and Alexander & Samantha Otis and great grandfather of Liam Mulvanity. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (exit 34 off Rt. 128/95, Woburn side) on Thursday, March 27 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burling ton at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Wednesday from 4-8 p.m. Interment in Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington. Memorials in Stephen’s name may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.