Tribute to the Besancons
By Katharine Adams
January/February 2025
Photo of 'Gigi' by her favorite granddaughter, Christine Christinat
Recently, I spoke with Anne-Marie Besancon, a lifelong Otis resident, about her parents and the ways they served our Otis community. Curious about their former roles and long-time presence at Otis Ridge, I learned much about this gentle, compassionate couple, happily wed for 65 years. By grace, Frederick and E. Marie Tracy Besancon were pillars of our community.
Born in nearby Chester, Massachusetts on July 9, 1924, son of August and Lottie Suriner Besancon, Fred was raised with a strong work ethic and charitable heart. Besides cultivating large vegetable gardens—including a talent for tending raspberries, shared widely—he also cultivated a delightful sense of humor.
Marie Besancon was born in Machias, Maine on June 22, 1923, daughter of Clifford Tracy and Rachel Reynolds Thompson. Her talents in the garden matched Fred’s, raising roses and dahlias for family and friends to enjoy. A love of the outdoors, with their hands working the soil, served as a strong and unifying element in their union.
They originally met in Jonesport, Maine, in 1942. Marie worked as Postmistress, while Fred was stationed with the Navy during World War II. Likely, they met at the post office.
They married on November 22, 1944, amid his service; in 1946, the couple welcomed the first of their two children, daughter Anne-Marie. During that same year, Fred was discharged from the Navy. As serendipity would have it, he received a call in June from one Mr. Barnes, who owned the historic Old Otis Inn, with a job offer starting immediately.
Having been a cook in the navy had served Fred well! As luck would have it, one of his brothers happened to be seated in the establishment, when Mr. Barnes emerged from the kitchen and called out, “Does anybody know where I can get a chef—really quick? Mine just quit and left!”
Fred’s brother suggested, “My brother was a cook in the Navy! Maybe he wants the job?”
Straightaway, the family received a taxi dispatch by Mr. Barnes—and their Otis history was born. Having bought their first house on Otis Reservoir, Fred and Marie went on to operate the Old Otis Inn between 1946-1949.
Meantime, things grew exciting in 1946 with the development of a new business: Otis Ridge. Marie soon started working as a bookkeeper for the original owners, writers Dave Judson and Mary Hooker Woodward, shortly after the historic ski area opened. Marie would serve over the next 60 years at Otis Ridge until her retirement in 2009.
In 1951, the family welcomed Frederick Jr. (FreddyJo) when Fred was again called to serve in the Navy during the Korean War until 1953. He resumed civilian life working at Strathmore Paper Company in Woronoco until his retirement in 1986; after retiring, he worked part-time at Otis Ridge Ski Shop until 2003. He would pick up kids from the train station, shuttle them to ski camp and fit them for skis.
In the family spirit, FreddyJo also worked at what became affectionately known as “The Ridge,” teaching beginner’s ski lessons, while Anne-Marie helped to manage the ski camp. Even their granddaughter Chris followed, working her first job at the ski camp kitchen. In August of 1955, recently having moved into their new house along Route 23, the historic floods of 1955 struck; they hosted many relatives fleeing from the storm. Fred and the other men in town successfully labored to keep the Otis Reservoir dam from breaking.
Marie was deeply engaged with fundraising groups, including the Congregational Church and its mission programs. Fred started a recycling mission in his garage, collecting donated bottles and cans to raise funds to provide Turkey Dinner Baskets for those in need over the holidays. In time, he turned over operations to the Otis Kiwanis Club, where he was a former member; eventually, the AMVETS Post 77 in Otis took over the mission, with operations relocating to the Transfer Station.
Marie’s nameplate remains on the Otis Ridge office door, to this day—an honor and testament to the good work of the Besancons, woven into the very fabric and heart of our town.
