A new bench was installed at the Canyon Lake Little League field on January 13, 2025, in honor of the late Eric Frega. Frega, a Canyon Lake resident and father of two boys who dedicated five years to coaching youth baseball, passed away in 2024.
Installed in his memory, the bench is a testament to Frega’s enduring legacy and unwavering love for the game, players, and community.
Frega, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, faced immense health challenges in his final years. After beating melanoma, he was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer on November 21, 2023.
In the final month of his life, Frega and his wife, Jamie, were driving past the baseball field when he turned to her and said that he wanted a bench at the field in his name.
Frega succumbed to pancreatic cancer on February 19, 2024, at the age of 47. Eleven months after his passing, his wish came true, thanks to his wife’s determination to see it come to fruition.
Frega’s legacy extends beyond the baseball field. As the founder of American Cancer Fighter, a 501(c)3 nonprofit foundation, Frega focused his final years on helping U.S. military service members, veterans, first responders, and their families in their battle against cancer.
Driven by his experience as a marine and his first diagnosis of cancer, Frega emphasized early detection and cancer prevention, advocating for education on risk factors and healthy lifestyles.
For those who sit on the bench, it’s more than a resting place—it’s a seat of remembrance and gratitude for a life well-lived and a legacy that continues to inspire.
