Paul J. “Boots” Freda, 79, a retired meat and poultry purveyor whose overriding passion was sports, died Sunday, Feb. 18, in his Warrenville home. Mr. Freda graduated from Crane Tech High School, where he excelled in football and was regarded as a “triple threat.” “He could pass, he could run and he could kick,” said Mr. Freda’s brother-in-law, Mike Bruno. Mr. Freda worked in Chicago’s meat industry, entering the field after his discharge from the Army at the conclusion of World War II. At one time he owned Freda Poultry in Chicago. “He was a family-oriented man, but sports were very important to him,” Bruno said. Mr. Freda played AAA baseball in Appleton, Wis., before the war, Bruno said. “He was the greatest sports fan anybody knew.” Mr. Freda also is survived by his wife, Lucy; two sons, Carmen and John; two daughters, Anna Hansen and Paula Maggiore; four grandchildren; and a brother, Ray. Visitation will be held from 3 to 9 p.m. Tuesday in Williams-Kampp Funeral Home, 430 E. Roosevelt Rd., Wheaton. Services will be held at 9 a.m. Wednesday in the funeral home with mass said at 9:30 a.m. in St. Irene Catholic Church, 28W531 Warrenville Rd., Warrenville.
