F. Michael Frazier, 72
TYRINGHAM, Mass. — F. Michael Frazier, 72, of Manhattan, N.Y., and Sage Hill Farms, died Friday, Oct. 23, 2009, of complications of Parkinson's disease at Fairview Hospital in Great Barrington. He was a well-known Broadway producer.
Born in Taunton on Nov. 3, 1936, son of Francis L. Frazier and Rita C. McManus Frazier, he graduated from the former Msgr. James Coyle High School there and earned his degree in political science from Boston College in 1958. He taught for a year at Taunton High School.
He was an Army veteran, serving as a missile officer.
Mr. Frazier started at Grey Advertising, then went to Paramount Pictures, where he was inspired to produce his own shows. He produced a number of Broadway shows, including the Tony-winning "Lena Horne â€' The Lady and her Music," considered his most successful project and which reinvigorated the singer's career. He also produced the Tony-nominated "Grind" along with "Sweet in Three Keys," "End of the World," "Nunsense" and "Mail."
He spent much of his time over the last few years at his country home in the Berkshires, where he loved to garden and tend to his chickens. He frequently returned to Taunton to visit with his family and friends, whom he loved.
He leaves a brother, Paul J. Frazier and his wife, Diana, of Taunton; three nieces, Jennifer Frazier and her husband, John Garanito, and their children, Jonathan, Jessica and Jocelyn, Judith Frazier and her husband, Robert Frank, and their children, Patrick and Jordan, and Jessica Frazier and her husband, Jeffrey Gonsalves, and their children, Cameron and Brooke, and his aunts Gertrude Frazier Gotham, Joan Frazier and Irene Frazier Kelly.
He was predeceased by his siblings Elizabeth A. Frazier and Peter S. Frazier.
FUNERAL NOTICE — There will be a graveside service on Saturday, Nov. 28, at 11 at St. Francis' Cemetery in Taunton, followed by a celebration of his life at Benjamin's Restaurant. A portion on his cremains will be buried in Tyringham Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Parkinson's Disease Center through Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. Remembrances, memories and reflections may be sent to the family through www.finnertyandstevens.com.