Fred B. Roedel

Fred B. Roedel passed away peacefully on February 23, 2026, at his home. He was predeceased by the love of his life, his wife Kay, and is survived by his children Susan Pollio of Amherst, NH, Jennifer Bernard and her husband Paul of Mont Vernon, NH, David Roedel and his wife Mary Lynn of Hollis, NH and Fred B Roedel, III and his wife Deborah of Wilton, NH; grandchildren Jackson and Drew Pollio, William Berrnard, Reilly, Lindsay and McKensey Roedel, by his 2 cousins; Joyce Carter and Bruce Gould; several nieces and nephews Scott Rathke, Lisa Rathke, Sharon Rathke, Carol Pitt and Gwynne Spencer.

Fred was born in Hackensack, NJ on October 11, 1932. He graduated from Hackensack High School and later Fairleigh Dickinson University in 1954. After serving in the US Army for two years, he received his master’s in business administration from Columbia University in 1958.

Fred was a driven, self-made individual. He grew up in Paramus, NJ, on the chicken farm his father built. When his father passed away at an early age, operating the farm fell to Fred, his mother and sister. The three of them created a successful business and developed the “never say never attitude” he lived every day of his life.

Fred initially worked for Standard Packaging in New York City and later became President of Educator Biscuit Company in Lowell, MA at the age of 29 in 1960. In 1965 he left Educator to start his own company. Susse Chalet Hotels became one of the largest and most successful privately owned regional hotel chains in the United States. At its height there were more than forty-five locations stretching from Maine to Maryland, and as far west as Ohio. In 2000 Fred successfully sold his company and started a new hotel company, Roedel Companies, with his children. During his career he served on several Boards of Trustees including Public Service of NH and the former First Federal Bank in Nashua.

He believed in people and the opportunity for anyone to achieve personal success through discipline and determination. His success allowed him and his wife to support organizations devoted to supporting young people; the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Nashua, endowed scholarships at Bishop Guertin High School, and through their involvement with New Hampshire Charitable Foundation they impacted numerous organizations throughout the state. In 1991 he was recognized by Fairleigh Dickinson University for supporting students. In 2002 he donated a new baseball field at Daniel Webster College named “Harvey Woods Field” after his college coach and mentor.

Fred was involved in the communities in which he worked or lived. In Nashua he served on the Board of the Nashua Children’s Home and the Chamber of Commerce. In Wilton he served several terms on both the Board of Education and Town Planning Board.

Fred expressed special love and appreciation for Saranac Lake, NY. It is where his grandfather developed the original hydroelectric facility with Paul Smith, where he met and married the love of his life Kay Leetch and where the family enjoyed decades of experiences first at the platform tent site on the Lower Saranac Lake on Goose Island, later the Saranac River camp and finally the family home on the Lower Saranac Lake. He was particularly proud to assist the Saranac Lake Historical Society with several of their recent projects showcasing and preserving the unique people, accomplishments and history of the Village.

Fred’s true legacy and love was his wife Kay his children and his family. He always said he was the luckiest man alive to find the prettiest girl. He supported his children and their endeavors, always finding time to be present at their events or coaching one of the teams regardless of his other commitments.

Services will be held on Thursday, April 23 at the First Church, 1 Concord Street, Nashua, New Hampshire at 10AM. Arrangements are in the care of Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm Street, Milford. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please go to www.smith-heald.com