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Services
Friends may visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Sunday, January 25, 2015 from 2-6 PM to celebrate Fred’s life.
Fred A. Minutolo, age 62 of Oak Ridge, NJ died peacefully at home on Tuesday, January 20, 2015 with the comfort of his family at his bedside. He was a true fighter and had battled cancer for more than twelve years.
Raised in East Rutherford, Fred graduated from East Rutherford High School with the class of 1970. His career in the car business began when he was just a little kid, helping his dad at Zabriskie Chevrolet in Paterson. Fred started working there full time right out of high school and soon moved into the sales department. He was very fortunate to have worked with so many wonderful people over the years, particularly at Brogan Cadillac, Crown Cadillac, Prestige Lexus and Mercedes Benz, and most recently as Sales Manager at Benzel-Busch Mercedes Benz in Englewood. He loved his job, loved the people he worked with, and he became close friends with many of his clients. He was proud to be the best dressed guy in the room too, right down to his silk socks and perfectly-folded pocket squares.
Fred loved cars since he was a little boy and over the years, he’s owned plenty of them. As a labor of love, he completed a frame-off restoration of a 1968 Corvette which was done so perfectly that the car earned a centerfold spread in a national car magazine! But that’s just how Fred did things – 100%. He was fastidious at keeping his cars clean too, and everything else for that matter. His garage was immaculate, his motorcycle was pristine, and everything was always put in its place. He tried to pass on those habits to his daughters too, having them wash their cars at least once a week, regardless of whether they were dirty or not.
Fred was, beyond any doubt, a fanatical fisherman. Ever since he was a young kid, he’s been fishing. Among his favorite places to fish was Island Beach State Park where he would drive right out on the sand and surf cast, or fly fishing at Flat Brook in Sussex County. He made many trips up to the Salmon River in New York and many deep sea trips. Some years back he went on an epic fishing trip to Alaska with some friends and in preparation, he outfitted himself with all the latest and greatest gear, fishing clothes and equipment, only to have the airline lose it all! Nevertheless, he still had a great time. Going for Bonefish in Turks & Caicos or Barbados was a more recent favorite and he dreamed of one day retiring to Barbados where he could fish to his heart’s content. Just a few months ago, when he was barely strong enough to walk, Fred stumbled out to his car, started it up and just sat there listening to his favorite summer music with his eyes closed. When his wife went to check on him she asked “what are you doing?” and Fred replied softly; “I’m fishing.”
Fred was a bit of a wild man in his younger years, but meeting Dawn Cortese in 1979 caused him to make a few changes. He settled down, if only a little bit, and they married in 1982 while in the Bahamas. Dawn proved to be the greatest catch of his life and they’ve enjoyed more than thirty two years of an adventurous marriage. As children came along, Fred became a strict father with his two daughters but he also knew how to spoil them. He might have been a little over-protective at times, like greeting a new boyfriend at the door with a baseball bat in hand, but there was no question that he loved his girls more than life itself. He taught them many valuable lessons along the way, not the least of which was the importance of helping others. He showed them strength and courage during his long battle, and he taught them kindness, compassion, and love. Although they will miss him dearly, Fred has left them each with the gift of memories that will keep him alive in their hearts forever.
Fred is survived by his devoted wife of more than thirty two years; Dawn (nee Cortese), by his loving daughters; Margaux Minutolo and Meagan Minutolo, and by one brother-in-law; Frank Sole of Manchester, NJ. He was predeceased by his sister; Linda Sole in 2014, and by his parents; Fred and Grace.
Fred's legacy will live on through his daughter Margaux's philanthropic fashion brand "Karma for a Cure." www.karmaforacure.com.
For our dearest friends and family who have asked to support Fred's legacy, donations can be made payable to “Karma for a Cure,” and mailed to P.O. Box 2702 Oak Ridge, NJ 07438
If you would like to send a private condolence directly to the family use this condolence section.
Friends may visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Sunday, January 25, 2015 from 2-6 PM to celebrate Fred’s life.
Services
Friends may visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Sunday, January 25, 2015 from 2-6 PM to celebrate Fred’s life.
Fred A. Minutolo, age 62 of Oak Ridge, NJ died peacefully at home on Tuesday, January 20, 2015 with the comfort of his family at his bedside. He was a true fighter and had battled cancer for more than twelve years.
Raised in East Rutherford, Fred graduated from East Rutherford High School with the class of 1970. His career in the car business began when he was just a little kid, helping his dad at Zabriskie Chevrolet in Paterson. Fred started working there full time right out of high school and soon moved into the sales department. He was very fortunate to have worked with so many wonderful people over the years, particularly at Brogan Cadillac, Crown Cadillac, Prestige Lexus and Mercedes Benz, and most recently as Sales Manager at Benzel-Busch Mercedes Benz in Englewood. He loved his job, loved the people he worked with, and he became close friends with many of his clients. He was proud to be the best dressed guy in the room too, right down to his silk socks and perfectly-folded pocket squares.
Fred loved cars since he was a little boy and over the years, he’s owned plenty of them. As a labor of love, he completed a frame-off restoration of a 1968 Corvette which was done so perfectly that the car earned a centerfold spread in a national car magazine! But that’s just how Fred did things – 100%. He was fastidious at keeping his cars clean too, and everything else for that matter. His garage was immaculate, his motorcycle was pristine, and everything was always put in its place. He tried to pass on those habits to his daughters too, having them wash their cars at least once a week, regardless of whether they were dirty or not.
Fred was, beyond any doubt, a fanatical fisherman. Ever since he was a young kid, he’s been fishing. Among his favorite places to fish was Island Beach State Park where he would drive right out on the sand and surf cast, or fly fishing at Flat Brook in Sussex County. He made many trips up to the Salmon River in New York and many deep sea trips. Some years back he went on an epic fishing trip to Alaska with some friends and in preparation, he outfitted himself with all the latest and greatest gear, fishing clothes and equipment, only to have the airline lose it all! Nevertheless, he still had a great time. Going for Bonefish in Turks & Caicos or Barbados was a more recent favorite and he dreamed of one day retiring to Barbados where he could fish to his heart’s content. Just a few months ago, when he was barely strong enough to walk, Fred stumbled out to his car, started it up and just sat there listening to his favorite summer music with his eyes closed. When his wife went to check on him she asked “what are you doing?” and Fred replied softly; “I’m fishing.”
Fred was a bit of a wild man in his younger years, but meeting Dawn Cortese in 1979 caused him to make a few changes. He settled down, if only a little bit, and they married in 1982 while in the Bahamas. Dawn proved to be the greatest catch of his life and they’ve enjoyed more than thirty two years of an adventurous marriage. As children came along, Fred became a strict father with his two daughters but he also knew how to spoil them. He might have been a little over-protective at times, like greeting a new boyfriend at the door with a baseball bat in hand, but there was no question that he loved his girls more than life itself. He taught them many valuable lessons along the way, not the least of which was the importance of helping others. He showed them strength and courage during his long battle, and he taught them kindness, compassion, and love. Although they will miss him dearly, Fred has left them each with the gift of memories that will keep him alive in their hearts forever.
Fred is survived by his devoted wife of more than thirty two years; Dawn (nee Cortese), by his loving daughters; Margaux Minutolo and Meagan Minutolo, and by one brother-in-law; Frank Sole of Manchester, NJ. He was predeceased by his sister; Linda Sole in 2014, and by his parents; Fred and Grace.
Fred's legacy will live on through his daughter Margaux's philanthropic fashion brand "Karma for a Cure." www.karmaforacure.com.
For our dearest friends and family who have asked to support Fred's legacy, donations can be made payable to “Karma for a Cure,” and mailed to P.O. Box 2702 Oak Ridge, NJ 07438
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