Frederick "Fred" James Kaminski's Obituary
Frederick “Fred” James Kaminski (78) passed away on August 15th, 2024, (the Feast of the Assumption of Mary), in the compassionate care of Cornerstone Hospice.
Fred was born October 4th,1945 to Edwin and Julia Kaminski in Toledo, Ohio. He had two older siblings: Rosalie and Edwin Jr. His parents and brother preceded him in death. His parents were Polish, and he attended Polish Catholic school as a young boy. One of Fred’s early memories was reading the newspaper in Polish to his grandfather. As a boy, he taught himself to hunt and fish and had a mentor teach him HAM radio. Fred certainly got into his share of mischief, but that did not stop him from excelling academically. Fred was a varsity athlete and played offense and defense for the Woodville High School Warriors football team. He was voted “Best Defense Lineman” by his teammates. Fred also played the French horn in band. After graduating in 1963, he worked with his father as a commercial artist hand painting billboards. He then found his calling as an electrician.
He and his wife Sally (Stewart) Kaminski of 60 years were high school sweethearts. Fred and Sally first welcomed a baby girl, Lisa Marie, whose name they heard on a vacation to Sally’s favorite spot - New Smyrna Beach. Lisa soon had a little brother - Michael Stewart Kaminski. The family lived in Ohio until, as the story goes, Fred came in from shoveling endless snow and declared they’d be moving to Florida. They moved to Mount Dora in 1972 and then built their home in Umatilla in 1991. It was in Florida that Fred began his career as a digital equipment installer with United Telephone of Florida. He retired from the phone company in 2007 to enjoy and take care of his beloved Umatilla property, as well as help raise his granddaughters who adored spending time with him and Grandma. As soon as Mike could walk, he became Fred’s mini-me. Fred taught him to fish, hunt, harvest worms, get lost and find his way out of the woods and they became best friends for the rest of his life. They went on countless hunting trips over the years, and we all enjoyed the weeks of dinners and the incredible stories that they brought back! Lisa and Fred shared a passion for renovation, they embarked on many projects together, from reconfiguring a lint trap for her dryer to sanding, painting, and finishing her kitchen table.
Fred loved the outdoors, and his garage was his domain. He could always be found tinkering in there and was the first to greet guests - after his dogs. He was actually struck by lightning twice! He could build or engineer anything. Fred always kept busy “counting stuff or moving stuff around”. He also loved to photograph wildlife using motion sensor cameras, he had nicknames for the bears and deer that showed up the most.
Fred instilled a love and appreciation of the outdoors in his granddaughters as well. Some of their best memories are of him and their grandma picking them up from school, taking them to the park, and of course the Umatilla Black Bear Festival and participating in the Ducks Unlimited Green Wings program year after year. Some of their earliest memories include Grandpa adopting two chocolate labs Teena and Tallula, who always had a special place in his heart among many of the dogs he must have owned - always an animal person he mentioned finding comfort in reuniting with them. He gave Larissa her passion for coin collecting and before she knew it, his collection was hers too. She sorted and labeled everything, and he helped her find pieces missing from their collection. He helped Alexa with her math homework and many science projects, and she began following in his footsteps learning HAM Radio. Known as “N4YTJ” Fred communicated with more than half of the world's countries through Morse code.
Fred was a jack of all trades and a master of quite a few. We all owe a part of who we are to him. He was a self-described pessimist, was strong-willed and stubborn at times, but he also had an enormous heart and a wonderful wry sense of humor. Fred always helped out - on his terms. But if you could be patient, he’d always help get the job done. He often helped family & neighbors with projects. He taught us many life lessons such as - “There is no free lunch.”
He is greeted in Heaven by all his family who passed before him and more cows, pigs, a flying squirrel, dogs, cats, ducks, and raccoons than any of us could try to count. Born on St Francis’ feast day, I’m sure Saint Francis will appreciate Fred’s help with all of the critters!
Fred is survived by his wife Sally, children Lisa Foxx and Mike Kaminski, grandchildren Larissa and Alexa Foxx, sister Rosalie as well as many relatives and friends.
In typical Fred fashion, there are no services planned, certainly no pomp and circumstance. We will continue to celebrate his life on a daily basis.
“This is N4YTJ, 73 and clear.”
Should friends desire, contributions may be sent to Cornerstone Hospice 2445 Lane Park Rd, Tavares, FL 32778.
What’s your fondest memory of Frederick?
What’s a lesson you learned from Frederick?
Share a story where Frederick's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Frederick you’ll never forget.
How did Frederick make you smile?