Claudino Alberte Fraiz passed away at the age of 96 on November 28, 2024.

Claude, as he was known, was born on September 23, 1928, to Lino Alberte Picon and Filomena Fraiz Vieitez. He was born and raised on a farm in the village of Garellas in the parish of Millerada in Galicia, Spain with his brothers Francisco and Jose, both of whom predeceased him.

On July 23rd, 1947, at the tender age of 18, he emigrated to the United States and settled in Wilmington, DE where he worked as a bricklayer. Over the 70 years he lived in the U.S.; he held other jobs as well. For over a decade, he was a chef at the Townhouse Restaurant. His daughters' favorite was Claude's Place, the arcade which he owned and operated on Market Street in Wilmington during the height of Pacman fever.
In 1970, on one of his return visits to Spain, he met the love of his life, his wife Celia. They were married on October 2, 1971. The couple moved to Elsmere, DE where they raised their two daughters and still reside today.

Claude loved being out and about. Whether it was working in his yard or hanging out with his "buddies" at Libby's in Wilmington, he was rarely content to sit around. He enjoyed going to Delaware Park with his friends. He was an expert at handicapping horses, which he enjoyed doing for the challenge, bragging rights and the occasional free hat. It took a pandemic to slow him down and keep him at home.
He was a huge sports fan. When he was home, he was watching a game, pregame, highlight, or recap. While he preferred soccer, football and baseball, he would watch whatever sport was available. From tennis to bowling to horseshoes, he watched it. He was a lifelong fan of RC Celta de Vigo, his hometown soccer team, and he never missed a Phillies game.

He lived a rich and full life. At any gathering, he would regale his grandchildren, and anyone else within earshot, with stories of his youth. From the farm to the dance halls in the city, he always kept them entertained and asking for more. Anyone who ventured into Wilmington with him would be treated to a tour and history of the buildings he helped build. He was a fabulous storyteller which has resulted in many of his youthful exploits being considered legendary within the family.

Claudino is survived by his wife Celia A. Fraiz, his daughters, Cristina Fraiz Brounce (Thomas) and Lucia Fraiz Nowasielski and his grandsons Nicolas and Thomas Brounce and Jared Nowasielski.

A visitation will be held Thursday, December 5, 2024, at Krienen-Griffith Funeral Home, 1400 Kirkwood Hwy, Wilmington, DE 19805, where friends may call from 11AM to 12PM. A funeral mass will follow at Corpus Christi Roman Catholic Church, 905 New Rd, Wilmington, DE 19805, at 12:30PM. Interment will take place at All Saints Cemetery.