Frederick J. Gentz Jr.

FREDERICK J. GENTZ, Jr., age 67, of Dryden, NY passed away Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012 at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Syracuse, NY. Fred was born December 29, 1944 in Wellington, New Zealand, a son of the late Frederick J. Gentz, Sr. and Betty Margaret Frandi Gentz. A graduate of East Syracuse High School, Fred served honorably in the US Marines Corps from 1962 to 1966 with two tours in Vietnam. He was employed at Merchants Mutual Ins. Co. from 1968 to 1975 and then at Security Mutual Ins. Co. as the Commercial Lines Supervisor and Marketing Representative. He had earned his Certified Insurance Counselor status.

Fred was an Honored Member and Past Chief of Dryden Ambulance, Inc., and a member of the Neptune Hose Co. No. 1 of Dryden. Additionally, Fred was a member and Past Commander of the Leonard T. Spaulding Post 1134, American Legion, a member of the Dryden Township Post 8158, Veterans of Foreign Wars and had been a Board member of the Dryden Veterans Memorial Home Board of Directors. He served faithfully on the Dryden Veterans Home Ritual Team and was also a member of the Finger Lakes Chapter 377, Vietnam Veterans of America. He served on the Board of Directors of the Tompkins County Mental Health Association and was a recipient of the Tompkins Trust Company Award for Excellence. Fred was a tireless volunteer, a faithful friend and confidant, a dedicated father and grandfather who will be greatly missed.Survivors include his children, Kim M. Shane of East Syracuse, Keith M. Gentz of Dryden, Kevin M. (Amy) Gentz of Rochester, NY and John S. Gentz of Liverpool; his brother, Gerald (Laurie) Gentz of Avon Lake, OH; grandchildren, Samantha N. and Erika K. Gentz, Megan E., Jessica T. and Timothy A. Shane, Gabrielle C.L. and Maguire Z. Gentz; a great-granddaughter, Madison N. Gentz; his former wife, Susan Heath of Ithaca; nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.Funeral services will be held at 10 AM, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2012 at the Perkins Funeral Home with Rev. Tracie Martin officiating. Burial with military honors by members of the Dryden Veterans Memorial Home Ritual Team will follow in Willow Glen Cemetery. Friends are invited to call from 4 to 7 PM Wednesday at the funeral home, 55 West Main St., Dryden. Memorials, in lieu of flowers, are directed to the Dryden Ambulance, Inc., P.O. Box 397, Dryden, NY 13053-0397 or the Dryden Veterans Memorial Home, 2272 Dryden Road, Dryden, NY 13053

FREDERICK J. GENTZ, Jr ., age 67, of Dryden, NY passed away Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012 at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Syracuse, NY. Fred was born December 29, 1944 in Wellington, New Zealand, a son of the late Frederick J. Gentz, Sr. and Betty Margaret Frandi Gentz. A graduate of East Syracuse High School, Fred served honorably in the US Marines Corps from 1962 to 1966 with two tours in Vietnam. He was employed at Merchants Mutual Ins. Co. from 1968 to 1975 and then at Security Mutual Ins. Co. as the Commercial Lines Supervisor and Marketing Representative. He had earned his Certified Insurance Counselor status.