The life of Frederick, Fred, Freddie Graber was an extremely fulfilled life--full of love, family, hard work, lots of life lessons, love of travel, friends, family and extraordinary strength, even through to the very end. Freddie was born on May 3, 1936 in Boro Park Brooklyn, to Mollie and Abraham Graber. He had a younger brother, Eddie, who passed away a number of years ago. He went to Pershing JHS and New Utrecht HS. He then went to Brooklyn College for a little while and transferred to Columbia University School of Pharmacy, where he graduated in 1960 with his degree in Pharmacy. Freddie worked as a Pharmacist starting in SilverRod Pharmacy in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, and then for supermarket and retail pharmacies throughout his career, even becoming a Supervising Pharmacist. He officially retired, after working part-time for some years, in November 2009, a few months after the birth of his grandson.
Freddie was a musician from when he was young, and his main instrument was the tenor saxophone. He even played in the Catskills, leading his own band called Freddie Gray and His Orchestra. He loved all kinds of music, especially jazz, salsa music, opera, and classical music. Even today he would still be watching YouTube videos on his phone and listening to music on the TV.
He worked throughout Pharmacy school as a Mr. Softee Man, riding his truck throughout various neighborhoods and always made sure he had the cleanest truck in the fleet. He even worked as a security guard in a factory in the overnight hours. Hardest working man we ever met!
One day, while going with his cousin Bernie, he was hooked up on a blind date, and it was here that he met the love of his life, Sandy. It was said that he told her on their first date, “this cup of sugar, when filled to the top, is not as sweet as you.” She married him anyway! 😊 They were married on June 18, 1960. They were unbelievably devoted to each other until Sandy, a teacher, passed away on May 10, 2019. Out of their marriage came two incredibly devoted children, Larry and Jackie. Freddie and Sandy were both such amazing parents—supportive, caring, gave everything they had to their children for an amazing upbringing. Freddie (well, both parents) also taught such great work ethics—strength, work hard, education, and be the best you can be.
His love of travel was so evident in his driving his family every summer to different places across the country for vacation, 3 trips to Argentina to see his family there, and in the last 20 years or so every summer in Aruba. He loved Aruba so much that when he was diagnosed with Stage 4 non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma in January 2019, the first thing he asked the Oncologist was whether he would be able to go to Aruba that July, and he did--cancer free!
As much as Freddie loved everybody, nothing made him happier than his grandson Angel. They were so close and did everything together. He went to every tennis match, every soccer match, every show in school, fed him every chance he could as a baby--just adored his grandson. Such a devoted Grandpa! They even watched America's Got Talent together--one of his favorite shows!
It's so easy to see why he was so loved all around the world--even staff and friends in Aruba were devastated to hear of his passing. He, unfortunately, had an over 4-month hospital stay, but the wonderful staff at the hospital were even very distraught at his passing too because they all loved this gentle man who was so nice, so sweet, never complained, and even knew about all the medications he was getting, even at 87! In these last four months, he got to see his grandson complete his 1st semester in HS, make his HS soccer team, see them make it to the quarterfinals, talk with his family about so many memories, and really get to know how much he was loved and appreciated. He fought so hard and showed unmatched strength throughout his hospitalization.
Freddie is survived by his son Larry of Manhattan, NY, his daughter-in-law Ally of Manhattan, NY, his daughter Jackie of Brooklyn, NY, his son-in-law Felix of Brooklyn, NY, his grandson Angel of Brooklyn, NY, his very loving Miniature Schnauzer Chico Jr, his step grandson Larry of Washington, his niece Pam of NJ, his nephew Rob of Florida, lots of cousins, and tons of friends and family. It is easy to see why Freddie or Fred, whatever you knew him as, was such a wonderful man--the best--a remarkable human being, devoted family man, role model and amazing man!
A graveside service for Fred will be held Sunday, February 11, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM at Beth David Cemetery, 300 Elmont Road, Elmont, NY 11003.
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