Friday, June 14, 2013

Americans Mourn Loss of Off-Ice Official Fred Vallee

Press Release

Kennewick, WA – The Americans family was saddened by the loss of long time off-ice official Alfred “Fred” Vallee, who passed away last Thursday. He was 71 years old.

Born in Quebec, Fred moved to the Tri-Cities in 1975 with his wife, Ramona, after his work led him to the Hanford area as a pipefitter out of Local Union 598.  He was thrilled in 1988 when the Western Hockey League started a team in the Tri-Cities.  He helped establish the Tri-Cities Amateur Hockey Association and The Hockey Refereeing Association that same year.  His passion for hockey led him to become an Off-Ice Official for the WHL, serving as a goal judge for the Tri-City Americans for 25 years.  Fred enjoyed mentoring and refereeing until a bout with colon cancer in 2002.

He leaves behind his loving family: wife Ramona and children Anita (John Johnston), Georgia (Gilbert Sandoval) and Marc (Nicole Wammer).

In honor of Fred’s instrumental contributions to the Tri-City Americans franchise over the past two decades, the club has renamed the on-ice official’s Locker Room in Fred’s honor.

The family has requested that we provide the following information about the arrangements:


Rosary: 7:00pm, Friday, June 14
Memorial Mass: 10:00am, Saturday, June 15

St. Joseph’s Chapel
520 S. Garfield

Kennewick, WA 99336
(509) 586-3820

Celebration of Life: 3:00pm, Sunday, June 16

Charter HD Lounge
Toyota Center
7016 W. Grandridge Blvd.
Kennewick, WA 99336
(509) 737-3700


In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made online or by mail to:

Tri-Cities Amateur Hockey Association (TCAHA)
P.O. Box 7139
Kennewick, WA  99336


 (Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

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