Frederick J Stancel OBITUARY

Frederick J Stancel OBITUARY

Frederick “Freddie” John Stancel, 72, was born in Michigan on 01/29/1952 and passed away in Lakewood, Colorado on 05/12/2024. Freddie was a beloved member of his family and community and will be dearly missed. Fred’s parents Frederick John Sr and JoAnne H Stancel predeceased him.

A graduate of Michigan State University, Fred ventured away from his beloved roots in Saginaw and made his new home in Denver, Colorado. Never forgetting his humble beginnings as an award-winning paper delivery boy, he ultimately enjoyed a long career working as an economist, and then with the Colorado Department of Unemployment. After retiring, Fred became passionate about genealogy, amassing a dissertation full of records of his family tree. This love of history and genealogy found him for hours in the Denver Public Library’s Special Collections and Archives, poured over records in the Saginaw Public Library, and took multiple research trips with his good friend and cousin, Michael Nestell. His last research brought him exciting detail on his Father’s ancestors who emigrated from the Serbia and Croatia area of Europe.

As a younger man, Fred loved adventure. He went white water rafting, road tripping, camping and hiking in the rugged Colorado Rockies. As his heart troubles progressed, he was happiest at home. He especially loved his garden, experimenting in the kitchen guided by one of his many vegetarian cookbooks, cruising on his e-bike, and caring for his two beloved cats, Wilma and Sweet Pea.

Fred loved art in all its forms, collecting art, cooking, good books, foreign affairs, and political discussions. He always offered an original point of view. He was a good friend in many essential ways, whose path was always one of generosity and kindness. Even though his heart issues absorbed his vigor and his time, he never complained but immersed himself in the science of the treatment. Fred strove to find his way and his people, cooking and caring for close friends recovering from cancer surgeries and treatments, or a broken leg. He managed to drive a close friend near the end of their life to the San Luis Valley on a photography safari of the migrating Sand Hill Cranes. Following this memorable trip, Fred was bitten by the shutterbug, and enjoyed many outings sharing love of photography with professional photography friends.

Fred was a deep soul and seeker who found contentment later in life as an astute practitioner of Buddhism. For years, he traveled to Barry, MA where he participated in several 3-month long silent retreats in the Theravada tradition. He was a natural teacher, and led many dharma talks for other seekers. They found peace in his words online during the pandemic lock downs.

This is but brief recollection by good friends, of the rich and layered life Fred lived. Fred’s was a life well-lived, he was an excellent friend, and a fine human being. He cared deeply about the world, and his community. We will miss his warmth and gentleness, and Fred’s good humor and wisdom.