Ferdinand Assante

Fred’s joyous demeanor was his gift to the world. He was always ready with a joke; the more controversial the better.  He was the coach who all the kids loved: Fred knew they were there to have fun.  He instilled the fundamentals and all the kids played.  Winning and losing weren’t even an afterthought.  But what he was really meant to be was a grandfather.  He definitely had no problem letting down his guard with the grandkids, singing them a little tune and showing them a little dance   Fred never missed one of their games.  He and his wife liked to head down to the casinos.  She’d battle the one armed bandits, he’d shout out for a 2 dollar yo.  He was a part of everything imaginable at St. Pete’s from coaching the CYO to helping out at the carnival to the Holy Name Society.   He kept a balanced diet of Hershey’s Kisses and lemon pies.  Like most from Philly Fred was cursed to cheer the Eagles and the Phils.

A great way to meet girls is to have your boss hire them.  Fred saw a pretty girl interviewing for a position at a company where he worked and intervened to get the late Theresa the job.  He’d borrow a friend’s car to take her out on their first date.  Their 62 year union was blessed by 5 children, Richard, James (Diane), Thomas (the late Beverly), Robert and Theresa Russell and 3 grandchildren, Ashley, Hannah and Hailey.  He is survived by his brother, Salvatore and was pre-deceased by siblings Girard and Marie Tynan.

Be like Fred and tell a few jokes in line at Sweeney Funeral Home, Riverside, from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday and 9-10 a.m. Wednesday.  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:30 a.m. at St. Peters Church, Riverside.  Interment St. Peters Cemetery.  Donations in lieu of flowers to the Delran EMT Squad, P.O. Box 1310, Delran 08075 will be appreciated.