Frederic Feru was born August 1, 1961, in Nesle, France to Lucette (nee Franchette) and Guy Feru. He attended the University of Rouen France where he studied medicinal chemistry. He lived and worked for 19 years in Paris doing pharmaceutical lab research, mostly for asthma and cancer. In 2003 Fred was working for Pfizer when they closed their facility in France and Fred transferred to their labs in Cambridge, Massachusetts near Boston. After Pfizer, Fred worked at HepatoChem and most recently The Dana Farber Cancer Institute.
In the U.S. Fred was a member of the ADFE – a group of French-expatriates who wanted to remain politically active in France. He served as the ADFE president for a couple years. Always voting and often volunteering to work the polls set up here for the French elections, sometimes he would answer the questions of other French people thinking of moving to the U.S.
Fred loved to travel and hike. In addition to trips back to France and around the U.S. (he especially loved Vermont and Maine), he had been to England, Ireland, Germany, Canada, Morocco, the Mauritius Islands and 19 times to different Greek islands.
Fred enjoyed cooking and hosting French dinners for friends at home. His delicious dinners always included a course of good cheeses, of all nationalities, and fine wines.
He liked to read French books and watch travel shows, and movies at home.
In 2018 Fred married Bill Archambault of Haverhill, Massachusetts, after a ten-year engagement. That year Fred also battled and beat esophageal cancer and was declared cancer-free in 2024. Other health issues caused Fred to be deemed disabled, and he became mostly housebound taking occasional trips to the gourmet food and wine shops that he loved so much.
Fred died on May 23, 2025, after a brief battle with pneumonia. His husband and their dear friend Jen were by his side.
Fred leaves behind his husband Bill and all of Bill’s family who welcomed Fred into their hearts.
In France he leaves his sister, Dominique Franquelin and her son Thomas, his brother Rudy, sister-in-law Sophie and their son Mathis. Fred also leaves behind many close friends in France and the United States that he loved and considered to be a part of his family. A special thank you to so many of Fred’s former colleagues who have reached out to share their stories and express their condolences.
A Memorial Service will be held at 12:00 EST on July 19, 2025, at the Costello Funeral Home, 177 Washington St. in Winchester, Massachusetts. The service will be televised on Zoom for those not able to attend in person. Zoom information is pending.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Fred's name to: Petite Plaisance Conservation Fund, PO Box 1112, Northeast Harbor, ME 04662.