Fred Frank

ROTTERDAM – Fred Frank, 80, of Rotterdam, New York passed away peacefully on Friday, January 13, 2023 at home, his most favorite place, surrounded by the love of his family. Fred was born in Italy on March 16, 1942 to Werner and Erna Frank. He graduated high school from the New York Military Academy in 1959, earned his bachelors from Siena College in 1962 and his masters from Union College in 1966. Fred went on to serve as the Director of Data Processing for the New York State Police and Deputy Commissioner at the New York State Department of Social Services for many years.

In 1960, at the age of 18, while attending Siena College, Fred met the love of his life, Pat. He knew in two short months after meeting her that he had met his forever and asked her, “not right now but someday, will you marry me?” They were married in 1962 and the love story began. The love Fred and Pat shared was indescribable but could be felt by anyone blessed to have known them. To Fred, Pat was perfect and always right, that’s all there was to it. Their love was truly the greatest gift they gave their children and shared with the world.

Family. There was nothing more important to Fred. He was completely selfless and gave all he had to his family. If his family was happy, he was happy. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. His seven children and twenty grandchildren worshipped the ground he walked on. He was always there to listen, give advice, lend a hand, or make you laugh with his unique sense of humor. If you visited his home, you knew you would be met with, “What are you doing here? Quickly followed by, “When are you leaving?” You brushed it off because you knew that was just Fred and he was thrilled to see you. There was nothing Fred wouldn’t or couldn’t do for his children – from coaching sports to wrapping presents at the mall to raise money for the school to performing in the elementary school talent show on crutches singing “Torn Between Two Sports” with a basketball in one hand and a football in the other to breakdancing at his children’s wedding. He adored his grandchildren as well and attended countless activities, award ceremonies and sporting events. He was their biggest fan.

It's hard to explain, but if you knew Fred, you knew he was special. You couldn’t explain what made him so remarkable, you just felt it. To Fred, everything was black and white – he never wavered in his convictions. There was right and there was wrong and nothing in between. He was a man of few words but his words mattered and made an impact on anyone lucky enough to know him. He was larger than life. A man of honor and integrity who treated everyone with respect. Fred was a role model and admired by countless people for his devotion to his family and his willingness to help others. Being the man he was, Fred also made serving others a priority. He served as a volunteer fireman with the Pine Grove Fire Department, catechism teacher, NYS Right to Life and Hospice Volunteer.

A devout Catholic, Fred was a longtime communicant of St. Madeleine Sophie Church where he served as a Eucharistic Minister. Fred had a deep faith and love of God that guided every aspect of his life. He lived as God wanted him to, in all ways and at all times - a model of love, grace, humility, and kindness - blessing those around him and making the world a better place.

In addition to his parents, Fred is predeceased by his sister, Renata Marini, and great grandson, Grayson Devine.

Fred is survived by his best friend and wife of 60 years, Patricia Delehanty Frank; his children who loved, respected and adored him beyond measure - Stephen (Kerry) Frank, Colleen (Joe) Umholtz, Debbie (Jamie) Proulx, Jill (Garrett) Histed, Kevin (Jackie) Frank, Stacie (Jason) Graber and Holly (Eric) Minkiewicz; his grandchildren who cherished him - Kaileen, Bridget and Aidan Frank, Alexis (Derrick) Mundweiler, Morgan and Taylor Umholtz, Spencer, Jordan, Jaden and Jansen Proulx, Logan, Ethan (Molly) and Carson Histed, Jameson and Mikaela Frank, Madison, Preston and Payton Graber, Avery and Evan Minkiewicz; his great grandson who loved “Pa” – Benson Mundweiler; and his sister-in-law Bev (John) Rivers.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Fred’s family on Thursday, January 19th from 3 to 7 PM at Cannon Funeral Home, 2020 Central Ave., Colonie. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, January 20th at 11 AM at St. Madeleine Sophie Church, Guilderland. Interment will follow at St. Cyril & Method Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to City Mission of Schenectady or St. Madeleine Sophie Church in memory of Fred Frank.

There are truly no words to express how deeply we loved this incredibly amazing man – our Fred, Daddy, Grampy, and Pa – and how much we will miss him. We were beyond blessed that God chose us to be his family.

In closing, we will honor Fred’s wishes and his crazy sense of humor by

sharing what he wanted his two-word obituary to read:

“Fred Dead”