In Memory

Fred Mansueto

       John Frederick Mansueto

John Frederick Mansueto, 71, of San Mateo, CA, died after a brief illness on January 5th, 2015. Lovingly known as Ferd, Fritz, or Fred, he was the son of Dr. Biagio Mansueto and Mary Carr Mansueto. He is survived by his sister Alice Frederick, nephew Peter Frederick (Carla), niece Mary Lipham (Adam), friend Elena Kulakoff, as well as many extended family and friends. From Batavia, NY, he was a graduate of Batavia High School '61 and the University of Michigan '65. A talented linguist who spoke 7 languages, he studied Russian in the US Navy and had a distinguished career in the Federal Bureau of Investigation until his retirement in 1999. A lover of nature and the outdoors (especially the San Francisco Bay area and the Adirondack Mountains in upstate NY), he kept pet snakes and tortoises and was passionate about the environment. An exercise enthusiast, he excelled at sea kayaking, distance running, cycling, and hiking. In his own words reflecting on his life, he wrote, "I have found that I still enjoy the exact same things I enjoyed as a kid growing up in Batavia--the outdoors, physical activity, nature and yes, to a certain extent a carefree life undergirded and nourished in a positive way by simple pleasures...So I consider myself fortunate that I never 'evolved' into a materialistic state as it seems many around me have to one degree or another. My rewards lie elsewhere, they are great, and I am happy."

A memorial service will be held this Monday, January 12th, at Crosby-N. Gray Funeral Home in Burlingame, CA, at 11 o'clock. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Buffalo Zoo (Buffalo, NY) are gratefully accepted.

Funeral Home Memorial site here.

Fred's maternal grandfather was Frederick Dorr Carr who came from Hector, Pennsylvania. Dr. Carr later moved to Batavia where he practiced medicine.

Thus was Mudjekeewis chosen
Father of the Winds of Heaven.
For himself he kept the West-Wind,
Gave the others to his children;
Unto Wabun gave the East-Wind,
Gave the South to Shawondasee,
And the North-Wind, wild and cruel,
To the fierce Kabibonokka.

- from the Song of Hiawatha
by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

 



 
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01/31/15 01:56 PM #1    

Sandra Sterling (Weiler)

Fred lived a few blocks from me as we grew up.  We attended the same grade school, Washington, and of course we graduated together in 1961.  I always wished our paths would cross again.  Many memories I have and I guess it is time I say "I forgive you for putting snakes down my back with Stuart."  So sorry to lean you are no longer with us. 


02/01/15 06:09 PM #2    

Marcia Norton (Gafner)

I, too, was a member of that Washington School class. My sister, Linda, and I were talking earlier today about Dr Biagio Mansueto, Fred's father, coming to the house to treat us when we were ill-that is really dating us. Fred's mother, Mary, was a member of our church and thought every young bride should have a crystal pattern and gave me some when I married. I, too, wish our paths had crossed again. (Another reason to have a 55th reunion.)

Marcia Norton Gafner


02/02/15 01:31 PM #3    

John Herridge

Anyone who understood the really important things of life, as he beautifully expressed in his own words, must have been a very fine person.  I would have liked to have met with Fred in recent years.   As a fellow Californian, I called him to see if he was going to travel to our 50th.  He declined to go, but seemed content and comfortable with his life.  A life well lived, it would appear.

John Herridge


02/02/15 05:36 PM #4    

George Galliford

I was saddened to hear about the passing of Fred Mansueto.  Fred was my wrestling partner. ,and we shared a lot   of  special times  at our practices and matches.  He was always a very humble  and genuine individual. I  regreted that he wasn't able to attend our 50rh!  Fred obviously lived  a life  that was meaningful  and full of those activities that he always valued.


02/04/15 11:25 AM #5    

Anne King (Wolff)

Sad to lose another one of our classmates. Remember Fred well in school. My thoughts and prayers to Fred's family.


02/08/15 07:28 PM #6    

Eugene Northrop

I was saddened to hear about the passing of Freddie.  We were good friends in grade school and our friendship continued through high school.  One of my vived memories of Fred was the times we spent at his home watching his pet king snake!


02/09/15 07:03 AM #7    

William Archer

Fred Mansueto was, maybe, my best friend during our early elementary years at Wahington School.  We only lived a few hundred yards apart so we spent many hours together.  We would meet at the corner every morning and walk to school.  Fred was very bright and had so many interests in science and nature.

Bill Archer


02/09/15 11:56 AM #8    

James Hottois

Fred and I were Sunday Scool friends before we were school friends.  I have too many wonderful memories of Fred to try to recount them here.  The wonderful boy I knew became a wonderful man.


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