Frederick "Fred" Kassner

SCHENECTADY – Frederick "Fred" Kassner, 80, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 14, 2014 at the Joan Nicole Prince Home in Scotia. Born in Brooklyn, he was the son of the late Louis and Eva (Levy) Kassner.

Fred was a successful businessman in the food broker trade. But, when he wasn't "wheeling and dealing," you could surely find him watching, discussing or thinking about his favorite team – the New York Mets. There was almost nothing Fred enjoyed more than rooting for the Mets in the company of his beloved son, Mark, who survives him.

Fred loved to cook and did so with such vigor that sauce would often hit the kitchen ceiling. His BBQ's made his guests' mouths water. His cake was known as "Death by Chocolate" but would have been more aptly named "Chocolate Explosion." He could meet you one day and make you the best meal of your life the next. He loved to eat, even asking for a sandwich with his last breath. He would travel hours searching for the best ice-cream around.

Fred had a sense of humor second to none. The stories of his life events, which he loved to tell and re-tell, could make you pee your pants.

Fred was attached to his dogs and treated his pets, Pebbles, Zakkie, Honey and Sweetie, like children.

Although he loved sports, cooking, entertaining and dogs, there was one thing Fred loved even more … women. After the untimely loss of his cherished wife, Ellen, in 1992, Fred thoroughly enjoyed life as a bachelor, traveling the globe lavishly entertaining women and affectionately earning the nickname "Freddy First Class," until sharing good times with his companion, Dottie, whom he lost in 2010.

With declining health over the past several years, he relocated from Florida to Schenectady to be near his son, Mark, who made him proud every day.

In addition to Mark, Fred is survived by his daughter-in-law, Eileen, and grandson, Mitch, of Rexford, and the dearest friends any person could hope to have at the end of life – Jeff and Laurie Mayo of Glenville, Andy, Jennifer, Carley and Alexa Hershaft of Armonk, Frank DeMaria of Florida, Ed and Patty Bartos of Michigan, Mrs. Emma Fazio of Mount Kisco, Sven and Hillevi Paul of Niskayuna and John Jay Sciarra of NYC and others inadvertently omitted here but always had a very special place in Fred's heart.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday (TODAY) from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at New Comer Cannon Funeral Home, 343 New Karner Road, Colonie. A graveside service will be held on Friday at 11:30 a.m. at Mt. Eden Cemetery in Hawthorne, NY.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to be made to the Joan Nicole Prince Home, 22 Glenview Drive, Scotia, NY 12302.