Fred A. Collier of Manlius passed away peacefully on Saturday September 24, 2016.
Fred was born in St. Catherine, Canada to Austin and Alma Collier and resided for a short time in Minnesota with his family prior to moving to Syracuse, NY.
Fred enlisted in the US Army during WWII where he earned the rank of Staff Sergeant in Company B, Sixth Armored Infantry division. He was honorably discharged and proudly earned the Purple Heart with 3 bronze oak leaf clusters, Good Conduct medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 4 Stars, and the combat infantry badge.
After the war, he was happily married to Mary Oot for 38 years with whom he raised two children until her passing in 1983. An active member of the Syracuse community Fred enjoyed his involvement with the Blessed Sacrament Parish, coaching CYO Basketball and Eastwood Little League. Fred served with the Syracuse Police for 37 years, retiring in 1983. In retirement Fred moved to Manlius and enjoyed bowling, golfing, dancing and traveling with his companion of 32 years Nancy Spaid.
.
Fred is survived by his daughter Theresa (Robert) Rayo of Florida, a son Richard (Janet) of Massachusetts, 6 grandchildren, Kimberly, Robyn, Patrick, Ryan, Sean, and Courteney and 3 great-grandchildren, Isabel, Cameron, and Finnegan.
Calling hours will be held on Sunday, October 2, from 4-7 PM at Burns Garfield Funeral Home 3175 E Genesee St, Syracuse. A Mass of the Resurrection celebrating Fred's life will be held on Monday, October 3, at 10:30AM at Immaculate Conception Church 400 Salt Springs St., Fayetteville, NY. Burial immediately following mass at St Mary's Cemetery in Dewitt.
The family requests contributions be made to the Syracuse VA Medical Center.