Harry J. Freda, Jr. age 92, of New Rochelle, NY, died March 17, 2023 at home surrounded by his loving family, a day before his birthday.
Harry was born on March 18, 1930 in New Rochelle, NY to Harry and Dena. He graduated from New Rochelle High School. He proudly served in the Navy for two years during the Korean War.
On April 26, 1959, Harry married the love of his life, Marie Colangelo at St. Joseph’s Church in New Rochelle, NY. Together they raised their family on Drake Avenue in New Rochelle. Harry was a loving, loyal and devoted husband to Marie for 27 years. They shared so many good times with family including summer BBQs and Sunday Gravy at Colangelo Place and trips to Atlantic City. After Marie’s passing on February 28, 1986, Harry changed his license plate to LOV4EVER in memory and his love for Marie.
Harry worked at IBM for over 30 years as a Field Manager where he managed a large staff. When a problem occurred, his motto was ‘no sweat’ – his employees loved working for him, many of them along with his peers became lifelong friends.
Harry was lucky enough to find happiness later in life when he met Susan Hernandez. They married on June 8, 2012.
It was Harrys love for his family that was most important to him. Be it summers in Westhampton Beach, keeping busy at his daughters’ house, playing golf with his sons and son in law, days at the beach and Davenport Park with Sue or spending time with The Merry’s at their cabin in Saratoga.
Harry was truly the kindest, most devoted and loyal person you will ever meet and we were lucky enough to call him our dad and friend.
Harry is survived by his wife Susan, his daughter, Diane Zeolla and her husband Tony of Stormville, NY; his sons Harry III and his wife Denise of Katonah, NY and Benjamin and his wife Vera of Monroe, NY; his granddaughters, Ashley and Sabrina Freda and grandsons, Anthony and Christopher Zeolla. Harry has a sister Doris Platorati of Larchmont. Harry is also survived by Susan’s sons Christopher Hernandez (Nancy) and Matthew Hernandez (Tucky) and their daughters Arya and Emma.
He was predeceased by his brother Donald Freda and sister Mae Freda as well as his in-laws, Berardino and Margaret Colangelo.
Friends may call at the Lloyd Maxcy Funeral Home on March 21, 2023 from 8:30-10:15am. Followed by a mass celebrated at Blessed Sacrament Church at 10:30am on March 21, 2023. A private burial will take place at a later date.
Contributions in Harry J. Freda Jr.’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or the American Cancer Society.
