The Independent

He was known to everyone in Inwood as simply Freddy and he was one of the community’s biggest supporters.

Alfred Oriet Jr. passed away Friday. He and his wife, Donna, have owned of Inwood Grocery & Catering for 38 years making roast beef dinners for community events, family milestones, Christmases and farmers planting and harvesting over the years .

“Freddy loved to tease anyone who came into the store,” the family wrote in his obituary. “If he teased you, you knew he liked you.”

“Freddy’s kindness, humour and dedication to his family and community will be remembered by many.”

His nephew, Dan Cumming, said in an online tribute Oriet was “deeply passionate about his community and loved Inwood like no one else I know. The truth is, Inwood loved him right back.”

Oriet could be found each day, said Cumming, at the back of the store where people would gather around the chopping block to talk over coffee or lunch. “We’d sit and tastefully express our displeasure with local politics, celebrate slot machine wins, talk sports and appreciate the good things happening in Inwood, a place we both agreed sometimes gets left behind.”

And he remembered Oriet’s giving nature; “He was a man with one of the biggest hearts I’ve ever known. Just ask the kids in Inwood who would show up at the store without any money for treats but leave with a pocket full of candy.”

Online Connie Swan of Inwood called Oriet a “pillar of our community.” Chris Britney added “Freddy was the nicest man in this world. Known him since I could walk and grandpa took me in to the store every time we took loads to the mill.” And Michelle Dupuis added “I remember growing up in Inwood and going into the store and could always count on being teased by him.”

Oriet leaves behind Donna, his wife of 58 years, and his children Cheryl and Al and Gerry and Amy, and grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his son Owen.

A celebration of life March 29, at the Brooke-Alvinston Inwood Community Centre from 1–4 pm.