Frederick John “Freddy” Ciaschi, 81, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 26 in Ithaca, NY surrounded by his children. He was born on June 15, 1941 to Fernando and Concetta Ciaschi, immigrants from Italy who settled in Ithaca, New York. In addition to his parents, Frederick was predeceased by his loving wife Patricia Anne Ciaschi. He is survived by his children Melanie Ciaschi, Frederick J. Ciaschi, Jr. (Michelle), and Patrick Ciaschi, as well as his grandson Connor Ciaschi. Freddy had a large extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins who were all very special and close to him.
He was an only child whose father passed when he was a baby, and the siblings of his parents and their cousins and children were like immediate family to him. Freddy went to Immaculate Conception School, and then Ithaca High School, where he met his sweetheart Patty whom he would marry and live a beautiful life with. Freddy and Patty celebrated 60 years of marriage January 13, 2022. While still in high school, Freddy was a member of the local Ithaca rock and rollers “Bobby and the Counts”. The group launched their first record in 1958 on the Marlee Record label and went on to perform on American Bandstand in 1960, among many great achievements of this pioneering young band, which continued to be a local favorite for many years. His family had fun listening to his records in later years, and while Freddy retired from the band, he never stopped performing/singing whenever he had the opportunity – think High School reunion stages!
Before starting his college education, he proudly served his country in the US Air Force at Griffiss AFB. Following that, he went on to Ithaca College, where he was a member of the class of 1969, graduating Magna Cum Laude with a B.S. in Accounting. He was on the Dean’s List, was Chapter President of the Delta Mu Delta, Rho Chapter, Honor Society of Business Administration, as well as appeared in the “Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges” publication for outstanding academic achievement for the 1968/69 academic year. Freddy excelled at Ithaca College while working more than one job to support his growing family. He had 2 children by the time he graduated from college. After graduation, he worked at Arthur Anderson Accounting firm in Rochester, New York and obtained his CPA before deciding to settle back in Ithaca in the early 70’s to be closer to family. He got valuable experience practicing accounting for a small firm (Michael Leach) in Ithaca before joining forces with partners, who together began their own CPA firm, where Freddy would remain a founding senior partner of the firm Ciaschi, Dietershagen, Little and Mickelson until they merged with a larger firm (Insero & Company) in 2016. Freddy enjoyed and identified with his work very much and focused primarily on tax accounting. He was always incredibly hard working, but loved every minute of it, and truly cared about each one of his clients, as well as all his partners and colleagues.
Everyone he interacted with he treated with the same care and respect he would offer his own family. In addition to working hard, Freddy also enjoyed his time off work, with family and friends. He was an amazing cook, especially Italian dishes, including his mom’s meatball and sauce recipes, pizza, and lasagna. Grilling and clam bakes were abundant for many years at the house on Cayuga Lake. Freddy was also his kids’ biggest fan making sure his sons were always at hockey practice in the wee hours of the morning, and coaching Kiwanis and Cinderella baseball/softball leagues for his sons and daughter. Freddy enjoyed taking road trips with the family, holiday gatherings, singing, dancing, playing softball, and boating on the lake. He was also a very involved member of the Immaculate Conception Church. Freddy was so intelligent and hardworking, but that combined with his kindness, sense of humor, humility, generosity, and loving personality – made him so special. He was dedicated to his family, who will always remember every moment with him, and the amazing positive influence he had on their lives, which will always be with them.