Fred A Mons

Fred was preceded in death by his high school sweetheart and wife, Shirley. Fred is survived by Michael Mons and his wife Lori, Mark Mons and his wife Laurel, and Fred’s daughter Marcia Mons. Fred is also survived by Robert Friebus, his uncle, mentor best friend. Fred has 7 wonderful grandchildren who are now all grown young adults. Brett, Lacey, Curt, Jess, Ken, Klayton, Molly and Brian. Fred is also survived by his rescue dogs Archie & Max.

Fred was born in the Chicago area where he graduated from Proviso East. Fred served in the Seabees during the Korean war and was stationed in the Philippines. After the war, Fred entered the sheet metal HVAC business with his uncle, Robert Friebus.

After successful run in the sheet metal business in and around Chicago, Fred and Robert moved their families to Tucson, AZ in 1964 to start a new business. Pueblo Sales which later became Gusto Distributing, was a beer distributorship for Southern Arizona. During this part of Fred’s career Fred served on many executive committees of the Schlitz brewery as nominated by his peers. His peers enjoyed Fred’s leadership and point-blank direct comments to brewery management of what was really happening in the wholesale network across the country. No sugar-coating from Fred.

During the 1970’s Fred was a highly active member of the Tucson Conquistadors, a local charity that put on and ran the PGA Tucson Open Golf tournament. Fred was an integral part of this event and served one year as Tournament Director.

In the 1990’s Fred retired from the wholesale beer business and started a second career with his son Mark as owner and proprietor of The Blue Sahuaro Steakhouse and lounge a longstanding Tucson restaurant institution.

After retiring from the restaurant business early in the 2000’s Fred retired out to the country west of Tucson where he lived with friends and took great pleasure in rescuing Archie and Max who were abandoned dogs.

One thing about Fred Mons that family and friends will attest to is Fred never had a mean word for anybody and you always knew where you stood with him and how he felt about you. He was a no-nonsense straight-shooting person with a kind heart and great sense of humor.

For Fred’s love of dogs, in memory of Fred, please feel free to make donations in Fred’s name to Southern Arizona Animal Humane Society.

A Celebration of Life Reception will be held Saturday August 14th at Barnfire Mesquite Grill, 8310 N. Thornydale Rd. Tucson

1 to 4 pm.

Rest in Peace Fred