Frederic W. Schuler, 69, passed away peacefully in his sleep on November 4, 2026. Born on June 24, 1957, Frederic made his home in Bellerose, New York, and filled it with the kind of steady presence that people lean on without even realizing they are doing it.
From an early age, Frederic’s faith and discipline shaped the rhythm of his life. As an altar boy, he learned reverence and responsibility side by side, and his gift for languages—bilingual in English and German—reflected a mind that loved precision and meaning. He could even recite the Mass in Latin, a quiet testament to the care he brought to whatever he took on.
Frederic is survived by his wife of almost 40 years, Joan, and by his children: Brittany, Erica, and Freddy. He is also survived by his loving grandchildren: Florian, Cora and Ford, and by his sister: Lynn Widom. In the circle of those he loved, Frederic gave what mattered most—his time, his attention, and his unwavering willingness to show up.
Work, for Frederic, was never just a title. Over the years he was a butcher, chef, business man, and NYC sanitation worker, carrying pride in honest labor and a deep respect for community. Through DSNY, he oversaw the community service program, bringing structure and fairness to work that often happens quietly in the background, yet touches countless lives.
That same spirit of service lived vividly in the places where Frederic volunteered and fed people—again and again, and on a scale that still feels hard to grasp. He cooked for thousands of people at the St. Gregory the Great Festival and the St. Patrick's dance, offering more than meals: offering welcome, warmth, and the simple comfort of being cared for. His generosity was not performative; it was practical, consistent, and deeply human.
Outside of work and service, Frederic found joy in the everyday freedoms that restore the soul—fishing, riding his bike, and going to the beach.
Frederic will be remembered with gratitude and tenderness—for the life he built, the people he nourished, and the countless hours he offered so others could be supported, fed, and lifted. In the lives he touched, and in the family who loved him most, his presence remains—steady, generous, and close.
Visitation will be held at R. Stutzmann & Son, 224-39 Jamaica Ave, Queens Village, NY 11428, US, on November 13, 2026, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, and again on November 13, 2026, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Gregory the Great Church, 242-20 88th Ave, Bellerose, NY 11426, on November 14, 2026, from 10:45 am to 11:45 am, and cremation is private.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Frederic's memory to 716 Paws and/or Ronald McDonald House Long Island. Direct links below.
