Frederick John Lorenzen September 4, 1929 – January 17, 2019
Retired Firefighter, Capt. Frederick John Lorenzen a lifelong resident of New Rochelle, and winter resident of West Palm Beach FL, died January 17,2019 in Boynton Beach, Florida. Mr. Lorenzen waged a valiant 6-year battle with prostate cancer. He is survived by his wife of 65 yrs, Marie (Zaccagnino) Their 4 children: Frederick (Susan Green) of Stamford CT, William, of New Rochelle and West Palm Beach, Susan (Timothy) McLane of Cary NC and Robert (Tina Owen) of Port Saint Lucy, FL. In addition to his children he is survived by a sister, Margaret Lorenzen of West Palm Beach, FL, 5 grandchildren: Frederick (Lindsay Hagerty), Stephen and Katherine Lorenzen. Timothy (Becca Romeo) McLane, Megan McLane, and great-grandchild, Frederick John Lorenzen IV.
Mr. Lorenzen was born in New Rochelle Hospital on September 4, 1929 to William Henry and Ana (Restmeyer) Lorenzen. Frederick (or Fritz as he was called much of his life) was the
youngest of the Lorenzen’s 5 children: Henry (Jean Heymer), Ernest (Rita Cash), Frieda Johanna (Peter) Caputo, who predeceased their younger brother and Margaret Augusta, 96, who survives.
At 3 yrs of age, young Fritz (and the entire lot of Lorenzens) returned to Hamburg, Germany, the place from which his parents had emigrated almost 18 years earlier. This was to last only a few years as his father understood that his former homeland was quickly becoming a less-than-desirable place to raise his young family, and returned to the United States.
He was graduated from New Rochelle High School, class of 1947 the same year in which his parents, dreaming of a bucolic retirement decided to purchase a dairy farm in Honesdale, PA. Fred, the new graduate and his brother Ernie promptly moved to central Pennsylvania to help Mutter und Vater mit den kuhen. …with the cows.
His parents’ retirement much like their foray back to Germany didn’t go as planned. Fred’s father passed on October 7, 1949 and his mother, 3 years later on the very same day. The two
brothers worked hard to keep the farm that was their parents dream but the Homestead Act with which the property was purchased requires two adult males to live and work on each farm. But
that was not to be as “The Draft” found Frederick at his new address in Pennsylvania and he was called to duty and served during the Korean Conflict. Brother Ernie had already served his country from his barrack in Italy at the end of WWII. With his father now gone that left only one adult male, subsequently forcing the brothers to sell the farm. Throughout the “Agricultural Period” it seems Frederick never forgot the girl he had been smitten with since they were both sweet sixteen. Marie Helen Zaccagnino, eldest child of Salvatore and Jenny (Telesco) were engaged and shortly thereafter married on Easter Sunday, April 5, 1953, in Holy Family Church. The newly wed returned to New Rochelle, and Frederick commuted from his home to his post at Ft Hamilton,
NY. In December 1956 he was honorably discharged having earned a Good Conduct Medal along the way. In addition to his medal, the Stork also brought the Lorenzens something; a new baby boy, who we now know as Frederick J Lorenzen Jr. Over the next several years Mr. Lorenzen worked in many professions: cab driver, insurance salesman,and on Wall Street before becoming a Firefighter for
the City of New Rochelle. The next few years the Stork was busy bringing 3 more children: Susan Ann ‘59, William Alan “61, and Robert Stephen ‘62. As many Firefighters and Police officers do, Fred had a second career as an electrician. Fred’s introduction into his second career came when he met Jerry Liucci of Jerry’s Hardware in Pelham. Fred worked for Jerry and became known as “The Electrician” in Pelham and Pelham Manor. They were friends who had a business relationship for more than 25 years until Jerry was killed in 1983 after being robbed while at work in his store. About this time, Fred (now Firefighter, Captain Lorenzen), was thinking of retiring from the force. He studied for his test and received his NYS Electrical License that same year. Fred was now an independent contractor. Fred who took great pride in his work, was known for many, many pithy sayings, one of which is: “There are no Craftsmen left.” It was a simple task – he called his business, Craftsman Electric. “Retirement,” said his son Bill, “is the longest period of his life, lasting more than 30 years. I never once saw my father do anyone harm, not
by intent or neglect. He worked for every dollar he ever spent and he loved his family with devotion. He is more than an example of a good husband and good father, he’s my example of what a good person should be.”
Family Noted: Fred had been blessed with good genes, a good attitude and enjoyed very good health all his life until he was diagnosed with cancer of the prostate 6+ years ago. The Cancer Care team at Montefiore Hospital, Bronx, NY was truly amazing and to them we owe a great debt. As recently as September 2018 his cancer was contained and had not spread to other parts of his body. His discomfort began to turn into pain. When we could no longer care for him at home we reluctantly surrendered him to Trustbridge Hospice Foundation of Palm Beach County. He was admitted 28-December to Bethesda Memorial Hospital in Boynton Beach, FL where he died 20 days later, in his sleep, free from pain with no signs of a struggle. After a long and valiant battle, his heart
simply stopped beating.
Special thanks must be given to Mr. Lorenzen’s family physicians, Frank Tamarin, MD and Stephen Trauzzi, MD without whom this road would have been much more difficult. For you we are very grateful.
In Memory of: For anyone wishing to make a charitable donation in Fred’s honor may we suggest:
Montefiore Einstein Center for Cancer Care ~ https://www.montefiori.org/cancer
St Jude Children’s Research Hospital ~ https://www.stjude.org/donate/
Viewing and Memorial Service Lloyd Maxcy & Sons, 16 Shea Pl., New Rochelle, NY. Family will receive guests from 4-8pm on Thursday 24-JAN and for 1 hour prior to the Service which begins at 12pm, noon on Friday 25-JAN 2019.
Interment: Saint John Lutheran Cemetery, Honesdale, Pennsylvania will be private, family members only, at a later date due to the limitations of winter weather.