Fred was born on April 21, 1943. He was raised in various cities in both New York and New Jersey until he joined the Air Force in 1961. He proudly served our country from 1961 to 1964. He held fond memories of the men he served with in Texas, Roswell, New Mexico, and Cold Bay, Alaska. So much so, in his later years, he reconnected with many of those men and organized an annual reunion with them. In 1965 he went to work for Hewlett Packard where he met the love of his life, Judy Ann Harrington, in the mail room, of all places. Fred & Judy were engaged on Christmas Eve in 1966 and married on June 24, 1967.

Fred and Judy had the love of a lifetime and spent 56 years together. They started their life in New Jersey, where all three of their children were born. Frederick John Mortimer (Freddie) born June 25, 1968. Catherine Ann Buonemani (Cathy) born June 13, 1972. Robyn Lee Kanis born September 10, 1977. The family moved to Dunedin, Florida in 1981. Fred and Judy had the pleasure of seeing all three of their children marry, and were present for four of their grandchildren’s births. Tyler Francis Mortimer born on October 19, 1994. Peyton Micheal Kanis born on November 15, 2002. Jake Anthony Buonemani born on July 4, 2003. Linken John Kanis born on November 2, 2010. Felecia Gayle Kanis born on September 24, 1995 became their bonus grandchild with the union of Robyn and Steve on March 31, 2001. Felecia blessed Fred and Judy with their first great grandchild Ezra Michael Kanis on September 17, 2015.

Education was very important to Fred. In 1972 he graduated from County College of Morris in New Jersey with his associate in science. He graduated from Montclair State College in 1976 with a bachelor’s in business. Once the family moved to Florida, Fred went back to school at night and graduated from the University of Tampa with his master’s in business administration in 1985, all while working full time during the day to continue supporting his family. Following that time, he encouraged his family to pursue their higher education and was very proud of all their collegiate endeavors.

Fred had an undeniable work ethic. Working several jobs through his lifetime. Following his time in the Air Force, Fred worked for various companies including Ingersoll-Rand, Hewlett Packard, Duval Bibb, Pick Kwik, Hess, Mesimer & Associates, ELB Consulting, Inc.

Fred and Judy enjoyed traveling. They visited various places around the country. They looked forward to their grandkids ‘graduating’ 8th grade and took each one on a trip of their choosing. These trips included visiting Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon, New York City, Lancaster County and Hershey, Pennsylvania, Washington D.C. and the Kennedy Space Center. Fred and Judy enjoyed traveling to see their son, Freddie, in Anchorage Alaska where they went salmon and halibut fishing. Freddie still talks about the trip to France they took. The 579th reunion with his Air Force buddies took place in various locations over the years including Texas and New Mexico. Fred was even able to arrange a tour of the missile silos they used to serve in.

He was an avid reader and enjoyed books of all genres, often passing them on to others in the family. He enjoyed woodworking and fabricated the barn doors in his home as well as the family dining room table that seats 10.

Fred supported his family’s endeavors. He coached Freddie in football and cheered him on in Cross Country Track in high school. He supported Cathy and Robyn in gymnastics, volunteering at the gym where Cathy practiced. He and Judy attended all the girls’ gymnastics competitions taking lots of pictures. Robyn and Cathy still remark how they could hear dad’s camera clicking while they were performing their routines. After gymnastics, Cathy was a competitive cheerleader. Robyn went on to play softball. Dad was there each step of the way to support his daughters. Fred and Judy attended as many of the grandkid’s events and activities as they could as well, from football, soccer, and band concerts and competitions over the years.

Fred was a proud man. He was proud of so many things, but first and foremost he was proud of his family. Anyone that talked to him would soon hear about his son in Alaska, his daughter that owns a company, his other daughter that runs a company, his Navy grandson that has served in South Korea, and is now serving in Italy. His grandson that earned his pilot’s license at the age of 17 and is now a certified commercial pilot. His granddaughter that gave him his great-grandson. His grandson studying law in Utah, and his youngest grandson that played football and hockey, and is now learning the drums in middle school band. He was proud of his military service and his time in the missile silos and Alaska. He valued education and encouraged everyone to obtain a degree in higher education. He was proud of his wife and bragged about her to anyone that would listen. He was a good man always willing to help out anyone in need. He was a good friend to those that knew him. He was a good husband always concerned for Judy’s well being. He was a good dad and strived to support and love his children. He was a good grandfather and great-grandfather.

We will miss our husband, dad, and friend. Rest well, Fred. You certainly have earned it.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Time and Location will be forthcoming.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society, Wounded Warriors or HPH Hospice.

Click this link to view Fred's Online Obituary.