Frederick Earl Page, Jr. Obituary (1943 - 2024)

Frederick E. Page Jr., 81, died from dementia and Parkinson’s disease, June 14, 2024, at All Seasons in Tucson, Arizona. Fred was born March 24, 1943, in Westerly, Rhode Island, to Frederick E. Page Sr. and Barbara (Jeffrey) Page. He spent his youth living in Pawcatuck, Connecticut, prior to attending preparatory school at Marianapolis in Thompson, Connecticut. He credits Marianapolis with changing the trajectory of his life. Fred went on to college at the University of Dayton where he graduated with a B.A. Economics in 1965. This is where he met and dated his future wife - Jennifer Verkamp. It was a date that lasted 48 years, until she passed in 2011. Fred joined the U.S. Marine Corps and served with them from 1966 – 1968 before embarking on what would be an illustrious career that began with General Mills. General Mills took him to Kansas City, Minneapolis, and Great Falls, Montana. During that time he received his M.B.A from the Tuck Business School at Dartmouth. He later went on to be President and C.E.O ConAgra Grain Company and C.E.O. ConAgra Inc. Global Trade Group. He won many awards and served on every Board imaginable from the Kansas Board of Trade to the Minneapolis Grain Exchange and was President of Montana Grain Dealers. Fred ended his career as an Advisor to the C.E.O. of Viterra, Inc. and as a Member of the Board for NCH. But his life wasn’t all work! He coached all of his son’s football and basketball teams, and drove his daughter to ballet class nightly. Despite his career and travel schedule, he never missed a game or recital. He was the very best Dad. Fred was passionate about traveling and took his family on many domestic and international adventures ranging from Rhode Island, to England, to Mexico and Hawaii. He was an exceptional athlete and excelled in baseball, basketball and football. His love of the Red Sox was second only to his family, and he took them to see the first two games of the World Series in 2018 (the Sox won!). When he moved to Montana he enjoyed golf, horseback riding, skiing, and white water rafting – especially with his family. Later in life he took to sailing, fishing and became an avid fan of horseracing. He retired in Tucson where he could spend time with his three grandsons, who were the light of his life! Fred was a masterful storyteller, joke teller and prank player! His legendary hijinks and capers and his wicked sense of humor will be missed and not forgotten. Most of all he will be remembered for his integrity and the depth of his generosity – with his family, friends, colleagues, church and community. He was a force of nature. Survivors include his children Courtney and Adam Page, daughter-in-law Megan (Hendricks) Page, and three grandchildren, Holden, Harrison and Oliver Page. A reception will be held on June 26, 2024 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. at All Seasons 1734 E Innovation Park Dr., Oro Valley, AZ 85755. A Funeral Mass will be held in Great Falls, Montana on September 20, 2024 at St. Ann’s Cathedral at 9:00 a.m. followed by internment at Mt. Olivet Cemetery and a reception at the Meadowlark Country Club from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association and the Parkinson’s Foundation. Information on donating online, via phone or by mail can be found at: https://www.alz.org/get-involved-now/donate and https://parkinsonfoundation.org/donate-mail-phone-online-2.