Rest in peace Sorrell Fregia (Eulogy)
Sorrell was 24 years old and the only son of Denni and Eddie Fregia. He was deeply loved by his family, friends, and the men in his firefighters’ squadron.
Though Sorrell’s life was short, his is an epic story of overcoming seemingly impossible obstacles to achieve his dreams. As an adolescent, Sorrell had a retinal detachment that resulted in a series of surgeries over the course of several years. Complications seemed endless, and Sorrell found himself restrained to laying face down on a bed for a year and a half. Sorrell emerged as a 16 year old young man with a passion for life. Against doctors’ recommendations and his family’s very reasonable fears, he pursued and realized his dream to become a race car driver.
To quote Sorrell, “I like dirt track racing and drag racing. It’s something I’ve wanted to do since I was 4 years old, and I don’t ever intend on quitting. So, if you don’t like it, then get over it! This is going to be my 2nd year in dirt tracking. I’ve learned a lot the 1st season, and this year I’m going to squeeze out a few wins. I was a drag racer for 7 years, and I am pretty good at it. I just always wanted to dirt track. So here I am, Rocking like a Hurricane!!”
When I first heard that Sorrell was racing cars I could hardly believe it even as I was overwhelmed with pride for him.
Next Sorrell set his passionate heart on becoming a fireman. I have to admit there was some eyebrow-raising going on when Sorrell announced this dream. Firemen have to undergo strenuous training and meet aggressive strength and stamina requirements, not to mention the possibility of future retinal detachments from head trauma.
Sorrell would not be deterred by fear of failure or injury.
One of my favorite things about Sorrell is that in the face of obstacles that would have emotionally crippled many of us and caused us to shrink away from life, Sorrell passionately engaged it. You could not tell this guy he couldn’t do something, and yet he was so easy going. I have known few people in my life who exhibited such peaceful contentment and positive outlook while striving against all odds to achieve their dreams.
What were those dreams? To be a knight for good, to help people in their darkest hours, and to play hard. Sorrell’s slogan on his myspace profile was, “live fearlessly.” I interpret that not as recklessness, but a violently beautiful engagement of life.
Sorrell was a man of true courage, and valiant honor. If there is no greater love than this, than that a man would lay down his life for his friends, then our brother Sorrell was a champion of love and one of the greatest among us.
Today we celebrate the life of a true hero. A human being who poured himself out into the people and things that he loved. He will be lovingly remembered.
- Justin Simmons, Cousin
Posted in Family
July 16th, 2008 at 11:12 am
Twenty-four-year-old Sorrell Fregia was a five-year veteran of the Liberty Fire Department until he passed away the night of July 10. Fregia lived with his parents at their Hardin area home.
According to sources at the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office, Fregia was outside at his house, working on one of his race cars, when he collapsed. Lead investigator Detective Kenny Dagle said that no one is really sure what happened.
“Dr. Brown did an autopsy this morning at the Southeast Texas Forensic Institute and the results were inconclusive,” Dagle said.
According to Dagle, there was no evidence of trauma or struggle. “It doesn’t look like he did anything to himself or anyone did anything to him.”
What investigators do know is that at around 10 a.m. Fregia was installing a thermostat on an automobile.
“He spent a lot of time doing that. He had two cars - a dirt track car and a quarter-mile drag car - and he worked on them a lot,” Dagle said.
At 10:15 a.m., Fregia received a text message on his cell phone from his girlfriend who asked him what he was doing. He replied, “Out back messing with the car.”
Some time after he sent that text and before he finished installing the thermostat, Fregia went into severe respiratory arrest. His parents found him at 11:15 p.m.
“The engine was off so we know it wasn’t carbon monoxide poisoning,” said Dagle. While the sheriff’s office is working to determine the cause of death, Liberty firefighters are mourning.
“He was an all around good guy, an excellent employee,” said Capt. Brian Hurst, who also said that Fregia was known for being in shape and loving to cook.
“I guess you could say that pigs in a blanket were his favorite,” Hurst said.
Liberty Fire Department is planning a memorial for him, although the details have yet to be determined.
“We don’t have a date or time yet,” Hurst said.
July 16th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
reposted from http://www.thevindicator.com
City says goodbye to fallen firefighter
As bagpipes played in the background and the Liberty Fire Department stood at attention, Sorrell R. Fregia was brought out for his last ride on a fire truck Tuesday afternoon.
Fregia, 24, died suddenly Friday. The cause is still being investigated, but no foul play was suspected.
July 16th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Fregia
Sorrell R. Fregia, 24, of Hardin, died Friday, July 11, 2008, at the Liberty-Dayton Community Hospital in Liberty.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Tuesday, July 15, 2008, at the North Main Baptist Church with burial following at the Guedry Cemetery in Batson. Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Monday, at the Liberty Fire Station. Services are under the direction of Pace-Stancil Funeral Home in Dayton.
Sorrell was born November 12, 1983, in Beaumont, to parents; George E. “Eddie” and Denni Melancon Fregia, and has resided in the Hardin area throughout his life. He was a home school student, graduate of the Lamar University Fire Academy, Firefighter and EMT for the Liberty Fire Department with four years of service, member of the Racers for Christ, and auto racing driver. He also enjoyed auto racing, skiing, hunting, fishing, and going to museums.
Mr. Fregia was preceded in death by his great-grandfather: R. W. Nelson, grandmother: Marie Ray Fregia, and uncle: Donnie Simmons. He is survived by his parents: George E. “Eddie” and Denni Melancon Fregia of Hardin, sister: Vicki Tannos and husband Paul of Conroe, brother: Jamie Fregia of Devers, grandmother: Christine Hodges and husband Earl of Houston, grandfathers: James E. Fregia and wife Mae of Batson and J. E. Melancon and wife Judy of Arp, great-grandmother: Vivian Nelson of Dayton, girlfriend: Brittanee Templeton of Dayton, and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
July 16th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Sorrell’s racing friends talk about the funeral: http://www.houstonarearacing.com/current/index.php?topic=20711.0
July 17th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
Sorrell Fregia Myspace Profile