ADAMS, Mass. —  

Henry "Hank" Frydel, Jr., 80, passed away peacefully on October 11, 2026, after a courageous two-year battle with cancer. He was a resident of Fredericksburg, Virginia and a member of St. Mary's Parish. Born in Adams, Massachusetts where he lived until he was 15, he then moved to Pittsfield to a home built by his Dad.

He attended schools in Adams for elementary and jr. high school. Upon moving to Pittsfield, he attended school at PHS where he played baseball his sophomore through senior years. Upon graduating from high school in 1965, he enlisted in the Marines for four years and served in Vietnam. Upon returning from Vietnam he was stationed in Quantico, Virginia and was a member of their "All Star" baseball team. He was scouted by the Pittsburgh Pirates and the N.Y. Yankees while on the "All Star" team. He then attended the University of Massachusetts for 4 years on the GI Bill and graduated with a degree in sports history.

After UMass, he moved to Fredericksburg, Virginia where he was employed by the State as a "right of ways" technician and later worked for Fairfax County as a tax appraiser. He loved playing on Fairfax County's softball team. He recently retired in 2026 at the age of 79.

While in Virginia, he did volunteer work on Saturdays with the St. Vincent de Paul Society. He also came to the Berkshires every May to place flags on veterans' graves for Memorial Day. He was once interviewed by Spectrum News during this volunteer activity which he thoroughly enjoyed. He was a member of the Vietnam Veterans Group in Pittsfield and the Adams Historical Society.

Baseball "defined" Hank. It was his greatest "love". He was a big supporter of the Washington Senators and the Washington Nationals. His favorite football team, however, was the New England Patriots and he especially admired Tom Brady.

Hank was predeceased by his parents, Henry Frydel, Sr. and Helene Murach Frydel as well as his nephew, Chris Kuta. Hank leaves his sister, Joanie and her husband, Dave. He also leaves his niece and godchild, Michelle and her husband, Aleks and is a great uncle to their daughter, Mila.

Funeral services will be held next summer on a date to be announced in Adams. Burial will be at his parents' gravesite at Bellevue Cemetery.

The PACIOREK FUNERAL HOME, 13 Hoosac St., Adams, is in charge of arrangements.

To leave a message of condolence, please go to www.paciorekfuneral.com.