Frederick E Shanks

Frederick E. Shanks, loving husband to Geraldine Williamsen and devoted father to Liam, Donovan, Maeve and Kayley, passed away on January 17, 2022. He was born to William and Rita Shanks on January 18, 1960 in Constableville, NY and spent the first 18 years of his life growing up in Boonville, NY. Fred graduated from Adirondack Central High School and attended SUNY Albany. Upon graduation, Fred moved to Queens and began working at Shearman & Sterling, LLP as a librarian. He spent the last 40 years at the company, working his way up to Senior Research Coordinator. It was through Shearman & Sterling that Fred met Geri, and they married on June 4, 1994. Fred and Geri then settled in Brooklyn, in Geri’s childhood home. Fred converted to Catholicism soon after his marriage to Geri and became an active parishioner of St. Thomas Aquinas Church. Their family began to blossom with the birth of Liam, followed by Donovan, Maeve and Kayley. It was the decision to enroll the children in Holy Name of Jesus School that prompted the change in parishes. Fred then became an active and devoted parishioner of Holy Name of Jesus Church by becoming a Boy Scout leader, coach for the Father’s Guild, as well as active in many various parish and school activities. He was a complete hands on dad. Not only did he spend most of his life caring for his wife and children, he also helped to care for Geri’s parents, Flo and Bill, who saw him as nothing short of a son. Fred loved traveling back to Boonville to show his family where he grew up and passing on his love of the outdoors through hunting and fishing. He was also a very smart man who loved to read and never missed an episode of Jeopardy which is another quality he passed on to his kids. Fred was a kind and generous man with a quick wit who has touched the lives of so many people. He will be missed by all who met him but the love and joy he gave to everyone who knew him will never be forgotten.

A visitation for Frederick will be held Friday, January 21, 2022 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM, at M.J. Smith Sons at 255 Ninth Street, Brooklyn, NY 11215. A mass of Christian burial will occur Saturday, January 22, 2022 at 11:30 AM at Holy Name Church, 245 Prospect Park West, Brooklyn, NY 11215.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mjsmithsonsfuneralhome.com for the Shanks family.