Obituary: Frederic “Fred” Darwin Jewett III, September 30, 1949 – April 25, 2026
It is with heavy hearts that we announce that Fred Jewett, 76, passed away suddenly at his home on April 25th, leaving behind a legacy defined by dedication to education, athletics, community, and improving the lives of others.
Born in 1949 and raised in Weymouth, Massachusetts, Fred attended Archbishop Williams High School before continuing his education at Boston State College, obtaining Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees. In 1972, he began what would become a remarkable 54-year career in education, first teaching English at South Junior High School in Hingham. He later moved to Hingham High School, where he taught until his retirement in 2010.
Fred had a true passion for coaching, where he inspired generations of student-athletes with his energy, compassion, and unwavering belief in their potential. Over the course of his career, he coached football at Archbishop Williams High School, Weymouth North High School, Hingham High School—where he served as head coach for eight years—and later at Scituate High School. As one of the most influential track coaches in Massachusetts history, Fred worked with hundreds of Division, State, and New England Champions as well as All-American athletes. With his encouragement and support, many of his athletes continued to compete in college while a significant number followed in his footsteps, becoming track and football coaches. He led teams from Hingham and Scituate to 30 league and 11 state championships during his over 30 years in the sport. Fred was inducted into the Massachusetts State Track Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2015 and was awarded Coach of the Year for the National Federation of High School Sports. Even after retiring from the classroom, Fred continued coaching cross country and track and field at Hingham High School.
In addition to athletics, Fred coached others to improve the world around them. He introduced and led Hingham High School’s peer mentor program. He also led the Scituate and Hingham chapters of the No Place for Hate campaign to promote positive culture, a program for which he was honored by the Anti-Defamation League. He was proud of his work with the South Shore Women’s Center and the Jane Doe White Ribbon Campaign, an initiative that encouraged young people to end relationship and gender-based violence.
Fred’s influence cannot just be measured by wins, titles or awards, but by the generations of lives he shaped along the way. The consummate coach and mentor, Fred encouraged others with his motto, “everyone counts, or no one counts.” Fred made genuine and long-lasting connections with people. He showed up for others when no one else would, and kept in contact with numerous athletes, students, and their families from his first to his current year of coaching.
Fred cherished every moment spent with his wife, sons, grandchildren, family and friends. He will be especially missed by his high school sweetheart and wife of 52 years, Rosemary. Fred was the proud father to his three sons: Stephen (wife Abigail) of West Hartford, Connecticut; David (wife Acadia) of Scituate, Massachusetts; and Thomas of Brookline, Massachusetts. Fred’s pride and joy were his three grandchildren, Max, Hunter, and Sloan who will always remember their “Papa.” He is also survived by his siblings, Penny Jewett of Arizona, Paul Jewett (wife Bobbie) of South Ryegate, VT, Rick Jewett (wife Ann) of Ohio and Rob Jewett (wife Lisa) of Weymouth, Massachusetts, along with many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Frederic Jewett and Margaret Henderson Jewett.
Fred was often found in his garden with Rosemary, creating beautiful surroundings for all to enjoy. Never one to shy away from a good conversation, Fred loved to engage others in long discussions about books, sports or music, his other passions. Fred’s life was defined by his generosity, passion, and commitment to others. All who knew and loved him will miss him deeply and will remember not just what he taught them, but how he made them feel; supported, challenged and valued.
We would like to invite all who have felt a connection with Fred to a Celebration of Life on Saturday, May 23, at 12:30 pm in the Hingham High School Auditorium. Donations may be made to the Fred Jewett Memorial Scholarship Fund with more information at https://fredjewettmemorialscholarship.weebly.com/