Fred Ahrens

Fred H. Ahrens of Grahamsville, New York, a life time resident of the area, entered into rest on February 13, 2015. He was 86 years old. Fred was born on October 20, 1928 in Wetumpka, Alabama to the late Donald Ahrens and Frances Ahrens. He married Martha Lake on April 10, 1976 in Grahamsville.

Fred was a hard working man. His family was his life. He devoted himself to their well being and happiness. His acts of love, kindness and generosity are too numerous to recite and we cannot find words sufficient to honor him. He will live on through his family, his greatest pride.

Fred was inducted into the military service in January 1951. He was in the 3rd Battalion, 29th Infantry Regiment stationed in Okinawa. During his service he was the Company Clerk and Acting First Sergeant. He was honorably discharged from the military in December 1952.

After coming home Fred was employed by Don Ahrens Coal Company, Fuel Lane Oil, and Warren Cole Heating and Plumbing and Percy Cole Television Services. He was destined to be an entrepreneur and started his first business in the late 1950's. Fred H. Ahrens Television was borne; he installed the first cable television service in the Grahamsville and Claryville area which was later sold to Alan Gerry. Thereafter he purchased his first school bus and provided transportation for the Tri-Valley Central School District, within a short period of time he had more than twenty (20) school buses for the District. After suffering several heart attacks it was necessary for him to retire and he sold the bus transportation business to George Gershowitz.

After Martha's retirement they travelled extensively through out the United States. Fred could always find someone to pass the time of day with making it necessary for Martha to go looking for him at dinner time.

Fred was a member of the JC Young Fire Company in Liberty and one of the founding members of the Claryville Fire Department where he had the honor of being Chief for more than ten (10) years. He is still an honorary member. He was Commander for a number of years with the Woodbourne Post 8086 of the VFW and a Charter Member of the Tri-Valley Lions.

Fred is remembered by his wife, Martha, at home; his daughters, Judy Ahrens and her husband Walt, and Jane Witthohn and her finance Neil; his step daughter, Kathy Lake, and step son, Ralph Lake and his wife Joan; his sister, Mary Mahieu, and step-sister, Jane Yozi; his friend and first wife Eleanor Ahrens, and his best friend and constant companion Boomer who provided unconditional loving at all times and will probably miss him most; grandchildren Casey Witthohn and his wife Rebecca, Nikki Rogers and her husband Roy, Erin Crowe and her husband Andrew, Lisa Reilly and her husband Vincent, Amber Newman, Noelle Lake, Joseph Lake and his wife Ari, Carissa Bohle and her husband William; great grandchildren Dakota Rogers, Cameron Wentworth, Zachary Wentworth, Carynn Bohley, Jacob Bohley, Braedon Crowe, Finnegan Crowe, Mason Witthohn, Hailey Rogers, Lucas Bohley, Benjamin Bohley and Annabelle Reilly; he is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Fred was predeceased by his step brothers, Franklin Wingett and Paul Wingett; and his step sister, Ruth Boyer.

Fred will always be remembered for his loving smile, joking personality and his exception courage through his many illnesses. He will always be greatly missed, but most definitely never forgotten.

Visitation will be held Monday, February 16, 2015 from 3:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. in the Harris Funeral Home, West Street at Buckley, Liberty, New York. A firematic service will be held Monday evening at 7:00 P.M. in the funeral home. Funeral services will be Tuesday, February 17, 2015, at 11:00 A.M. at the Grahamsville United Methodist Church, Grahamsville, New York. The Rev. Peggy Sauerhoff will officiate. Interment will be at the Grahamsville Rural Cemetery with military honors in the Spring.

Memorial donations may be made to American Heart Association, 7272 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75231; American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718; and Grahamsville United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 86, Grahamsville, New York 12740.

Funeral arrangements made by Harris Funeral Home, West Street at Buckley, Liberty, New York, Tel. No. 845-292-0001. For directions or to send condolences please visit Harris-FH.com.