Who is Frederic from The Memory Keeper's Daughter and what is their importance?

Frederic is Norah's second husband. He is fastidious and has some irritating habits, but is in love with her and is a good, stabilizing force for her. She is comfortable with him and finds true happiness for the first time in her life with him. He is a French Canadian with relatives in France. He is a worldly man, but a steady force for Norah.