On Wednesday, November 27, 2024. Husband of the late Marion LaPointe; loving father of Fred (Susan), Jeffrey, Diane, and Daphne LaPointe; Grandfather of Margaux (Jason) and Madelon; Great grandfather of Lorelei and Felicity; brother of the late Jacques LaPointe; brother in law of Elizabeth and Janet Yakicic; also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews.

A lifelong Pittsburgher, Fred was born on the North Side, the younger of 2 sons born to parents, Fred Senior and Stephanie (“Stella”) LaPointe. Though Dad lived in the South Hills (Scott Township) for most of his life, he cherished his “Old Allegheny” roots.

Fred was a dynamic individual with many admirable gifts and attributes, the greatest being his unwavering, indomitable, and unrelenting faith. He was a tower of strength, a man of integrity and true man of God, full of joy, kindness, and compassion. He loved people and craved reaching out to them daily with a wave or smile, compliment, or Holy Spirit-inspired song that he would spontaneously sing, often moving others to tears due to that song’s special meaning in their lives.

Dad was a hard worker and good steward of his God-given talents, including a keen intellect. He graduated from Pitt with a master’s degree in industrial engineering in the mid-fifties, working in the steel industry for a few years before launching into computer science in its infancy. Dad was a giant in the computer field, a true pioneer who gained legendary status from his tremendous contributions, from automating Allegheny County and Giant Eagle, to advancing many government projects and programs, including the Star Wars defense program. He was a maverick, constantly pushing computer technology to its limits.

Although he enjoyed his career immensely, his greatest joy was his family, beginning with his precious, perfectly matched wife, our mother Marion “Molly”. They met at a dance on a random Saturday night in Johnstown, PA, Mom’s hometown and where Dad was then employed as an efficiency expert for US Steel. Dad instantly knew Mom was the one for him and patiently waited his turn for a dance. After driving her (and three of her six sisters) home afterwards, he memorized the country road to her house, quietly claiming there would be subsequent dates. When picking Mom up the following week for their first one, Dad noticed that Mom’s widowed mother needed a new roof and happily paid for it, regardless of how things might work out with Mom. That was the kind of heart he had – he’d see a need and happily fill it. As kids, we witnessed many selfless acts and generosities that both he and Mom joyfully performed. One snowy downtown Saturday afternoon, we watched as Dad removed his coat and shoes and gave them to a homeless man, along with every dollar in Dad’s pocket and then prayed with him. And as a couple, Mom and Dad’s 64 years of checkbooks overflowed with charitable entries. They lived and spent modestly, yet never denied us any opportunities for growth and always showed generosity and charity to others.

Both Dad and Mom were active parishioners at Ss. Simon & Jude Church (St. Raphael Parish), teaching religious education for nearly 2 decades. Dad also was the first director of the RCIA program, an altar server, and Eucharistic minister. A zealous convert, Dad cherished his Catholic faith and was a tremendous ambassador for Christ. As a gifted artist, in 1974, from his heart, he painted a magnificent picture of Jesus that hung behind his recliner these past 50 years. We made magnets of it, and for the past year, he has given out hundreds of them to people in his path, while exuberantly proclaiming his love for Jesus.

We will dearly miss our beloved father, Fred, as we do our cherished mother, Marion. But we take comfort in knowing that he is now right next to her, safely in the arms of Jesus, hearing those eternal words, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” Well done indeed, Dad. Very well done!

Arrangements have been entrusted to the SZAFRANSKI-EBERLEIN FUNERAL HOME, INC., where family and friends will be received on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, from 3-7pm at 101 Third St., Carnegie. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in St. Raphael the Archangel Parish, Ss. Simon and Jude Church on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at 10:00am. Following Mass, Fred will be laid to rest next to his wife, Marion, in Mt. Olivet Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Fred's name to:
St. Paul of the Cross Monastery
148 Monastery Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15203
https://www.stpaulofthecrossmonastery.com/

www.szafranski-eberleinfuneralhome.com (412)276-1107