September 24th, 2024. Fred passed away peacefully at the age of 72, surrounded by family after a courageous battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Kathryn, children Ryann (Pierce) Redmond, Crofton (Kim Martin) Celentano, Taylor (Jay) Bernunzio and Whitney (Ryan) Moore, six grandchildren; Carter, Bentley, Rocco, Ace, Scarlett, and Olive, brother Paul (Sharon) Celentano and sister Laurie Celentano along with countless friends, family and loved ones. He is predeceased by his parents; John and Loretta Celentano.
Fred was a graduate of Fairport High School where he started his own fraternity. He went on to proudly serve in the US Navy, travel the country and have a successful award winning career in sales. He held several political positions with the Republican party in Palmyra, NY where he resided for over 40 years.
He lived life to the fullest and was the life of the party. Fred loved golfing with his buddies at Winged Pheasant and Eagle Vale golf courses, rooting for the NY Yankees and Giants, enjoying great food and wine, watching Turner Classic Movies, listening to the Beatles and classic rock music, swimming in his pool with his grandkids, and quality time with his family and friends, especially if it involved cooking for them. He will always be known and remembered for his big personality and humour; he loved to make people laugh with his pranks, witty sayings, nicknames and made up words that made everyone smile on even the hardest days.
The Celentano family would like to thank all who supported him and the family through this journey including his closest loved ones and the exceptional care from Thompson Medical Center, the Liver Transplant team at UR Medicine, the hospice team with Rochester Regional Health and FS Elder Connections.
Family and friends are invited to gather for Calling Hours on Tuesday, October 1st at Keenan’s Funeral Home, 7501 Pittsford-Palmyra Rd, Fairport NY 14450 from 4-7pm. Funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, October 2nd at St. Jerome’s Church, 207 Garfield Street, E. Rochester NY 14445 at 9:30am with burial at White Haven Cemetery to follow.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Donate Life, donatelife.net in honor of Fred’s courageous journey to receive a liver transplant and to support all of those in need of organ donation.
Comments
15 responses to “Celentano, Frederick J.”
I love you Derf! You will be truly missed. I will never forget your amazing laugh, smartass jokes and amazing cooking! You’re like a dad to me and you’ll never be forgotten. Have so many great memories of you and the entire Celentano family growing up at your house. Best spagoots ever!
Love,
Doorbell (D Rock)
Doc, You and I started our journey through life at Fairport High together! We became fraternity brothers when we started our own fraternity with a few close friends. You were our 1st. President! We were inseparable through high school and college til you went in the Navy. Our professional lives took us in separate ways as we started our married lives and families. I asked you to be our best man and you accepted and other than posting HELP on the bottom of my shoes when I knelt at the alter, you did a Great job. I really wish we could have stayed closer but even after months of not talking to each other, it was like we spoke everyday! I will miss you and our talks about the Yankees and some politics. You are forever in my thoughts and prayers. Fly high Fast Freddie (Doc) love you man!
It’s not surprising that Freddie has deeply touched and is loved by everyone who has come in contact with his sparkling and humorous personality. From our High School days starting the R&W frat to our recent luncheons you’ve been a beacon of joy to me and I will always love and miss you Fred.
Fred holds a special place in my memory as we shared so many good times during our time together at Eber Bros. We had a lot of gut busting laughs and we also worked, too! Kathy, my prayers are with you and your family. God bless you all.
Oh Kathy and family, Kirk and I are so sad to hear of Fred’s passing. May you find comfort in these days. He was definitely the life of the party!
If you checked Fred’s phone, you wouldn’t see my name, but you would see the word “Pal”.
And that was the name that he gave me and was known by for over 40 years. Through our many years working together at Eber Bros and the hundreds of times that we golfed together at Rockies & Eagle Vale, I was Pal. What could be better than to have a friend know you like that.
When I moved away and then returned after 11 years, one of the things I looked forward to was being back and playing together with Fred and Kurt. There is something different about the friendships we make through golf, an extra dimension, a deeper link.
So many laughs and memories. As both lifelong Giants and Yankees fans, we would text back and forth as the game went on.
I’m doing the best I can to pay a tribute to someone who has meant so much to me over the years but plain words can’t begin to do it justice. I will miss my dear, dear friend and he will not be forgotten.
Loved that guy.
I’m so sorry to hear about Fred’s passing. He was so full of life and fun. A true Family Man and hard worker. I’m sure we’ll be very hard to live without him in our lives
Luckily for me,we hit it off immediately when you were allowed to join us at MinervaDelandHS.Funniest of the bunch,showing me the tunnel behind the house,entertaining us in the Auditorium for our extended lunch periods,your most excellent idea of the Fraternity,concerts to attend,and then both of us being lured into the restaurant biz,then settling down with Kathy to get started on your real pride&joy,this Family of yours.Luckily for me,again,our families intertwined to enjoy so many special moments.Love you my brother
I MISS YOU ALREADY! YOUR FRIEND MIKE
The Veterans Outreach Center extends our deepest sympathy in Frederick’s passing.
We acknowledge and are truly grateful for his service to our country.
Fred
You always kept me smiling! I still have vivid memories of you on the auditorium stage delivering a German accent speech making us all break out laughing! No studying done that study hall!
I was honored to be in the first wave of pledges (Brad’s) for AUI! You and our creators lead us to being an Honorable organization.
My Mom went to school with your Mom and Dad in ER and I have memories early in life being in your Mom and Dad’s house. Your Parents were GREAT and the only thing I feel good about you leaving us is you will be with them again.
Save a place for me in your fraternity up there! God Willing.
Kathy and family, So very sorry to hear of Fred’s passing. May your many memories put a smile on your faces during this most difficult time. Rest in Peace, Fred.
Mary Sweeney, from RCH crew
To the Celentano Family. I read this morning the poet Mary Angelou once said, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” and Fred made us all feel very well.
Thomas and Barbara Rotolo
Rochester NY
I am at a loss for words. The Celentano family was my 2nd family for so many years, and Freddy was the core. I’ll always remember his love of the Yankees, his hilarious laugh and his awesome lingo…his Spagoots were second to none. He loved his family fiercely and was always up for fun. I wish I could be there with you guys to celebrate his life. I’m celebrating it from a far with a glass of wine while watching the Yankees win again. The good ones are the hardest to lose…and Freddy was one of the good ones!
💔
Freddy Rest in peace my friend …….I Love You man …….❤️❤️…….my father is up there waiting for you to bring him his box from the treasure room