Fred R. Guarnieri Jr.

Fred’s everlasting motto was: “don’t sweat the small stuff and the big stuff will take care of itself.” It was a motto that served him well. Born the fourth of ten children to Fred and Carolyn (Van Huffel) Guarnieri in Warren, Ohio, Fred graduated from St. Francis Prep in Spring Grove, Pennsylvania and went on to earn a BA in Philosophy from Youngstown State University.

Fred received his commission in the United States Navy in 1962. Aboard the USS Sandoval (APA-194), Fred assumed duties such as Electrical Officer, Engineering Watch Officer, and Underway Officer of the Deck. His favorite assignment by far was that of Operations Officer for the Bachelor Officer Quarters and Officers’ Club at Cubi Point Naval Air Station in the Philippines. He successfully managed both facilities, offering a welcome respite for visiting officers, dignitaries, and movie stars. Fred honorably separated from the Navy in 1965 having achieved the rank of Full Lieutenant during his service.

Fred met the love of his life, Patti, in March of 1966 and they married in April 1967. Fred told how he and Patti should have met two times before they actually did; the third time at the Catholic Club Bowling Night at the old Erlton Bowl, was the charm. That meeting sparked a grand love that spanned more than fifty-two years and blessed them with two daughters, Betsy and Patti Anne.

Fred’s “O Club” experience inspired him to open Freddy’s Liquor Shop in Haddon Township, NJ in August of 1967. With Patti by his side, and his brothers-in-law, Jim and Bill Carson, as his partners, Freddy’s thrived for forty years. Notably, Fred served on the Board of the National Association of Beverage Retailers and was once awarded Heublein’s “Retailer of the Year for New Jersey.” Freddy, and Freddy’s, were a legend and an institution, respectively.

Fred was devoted to his family, faith and friends. He was a founding member of St. Vincent Pallotti Parish, serving as a Trustee and in many other roles over the years. He spent decades volunteering for civic and charitable organizations. He was particularly proud of the many Knights of Columbus Police Appreciation dinners he organized. The Sons of Italy once named Fred “Man of the Year.” And it’s true, Fred was the man.

He enjoyed “golf, chess, bridge and billiards”, quoted from the material he left to make writing this easier on his family; there is no end to him taking care of those he loved. Fred was an active and devoted member of Tavistock Country Club from 1975 onward. He spent time on the golf course, the “19th hole”, the dining room, and the dance floor doing the affectionately named “dance of the reindeer.”

Fred’s work and life experience was varied and awesome: he “retired” from Freddy’s only to first become a seller of imported Italian wines, and then part of a team of drivers for Enterprise Rental Cars; he was a chef--the creator of Freddy’s Clams Italiano and a host of other well-loved dishes; Fred was also a consummate host--he and Patti threw hundreds of parties over the years; Fred was a dispenser of wisdom and tough love often while sitting in the sun enjoying a cigar; and, lest we forget, Fred was definitely *not* a wearer of socks.

Fred is survived by his beloved wife of fifty-two years, Patti, his daughters Betsy and Patti Anne, and the sons he never had but wholly embraced: Patti’s husband, Jon Pace, and Betsy’s husband, Rob Loewe. He had boundless love for his grandchildren, Sam and Luke Pace, who were a source of great joy and laughter for Fred. Fred is survived by siblings Mary Carson, Frank Guarnieri, Sarah Buzga, Harold (Beth) Guarnieri, Jim (Marilu) Guarnieri, Pegi (Jim) Isman, Phil Guarnieri and Dave (Marilyn) Guarnieri, brother and sister in-law Morgan and Reggie Pape, honorary brother Jim Carson, nieces, nephews, friends and family too numerous to list but not forgotten. Fred was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Carolyn Guarnieri, sister in-law Pat Guarnieri, sister, Evie Powers, honorary sister in-law, Virginia Carson, brother in-law Bob Buzga, and brother-in-law, Bill Carson.

Family and friends are invited to the Visitation on Friday October 4, 2019 from 9:00 – 11:00 am at St. Joseph the Worker Parish, 901 Hopkins Road Haddon Twp, NJ 08033. Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 am. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to BLAKE-DOYLE Funeral Home, Collingswood, NJ 08108. Visit BLAKE-DOYLE.com for full story and to leave your remembrances of Fred.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to a charity of your choice and a toast to celebrate Fred’s life.