Fred Hassett died at the age of 64 from esophageal cancer in November 2019. He passed away at his twin sister Wendy's home with Wendy and older sister Karin at his side. He had only stopped working one month before.
After high school, so to differentiate himself from his father whose name is also Fred, young Fred decided to go by Erick, the second half of his given name, Frederick. It was in the last few years of his life that Erick went back to being called Fred.
Fred took a graphic art program and worked for Westinghouse in their defense department. He enjoyed the work until it became more computerized. Technology was never an area of interest for him. After trying a variety of jobs, he began work for a family friend, Fred Faboni, in the termite removal business. Fred learned to inspect for termites and do the repair of their damage on homes and other buildings. He ended up staying for over two decades. Fred took pride in his work, providing a good outcome for their clients.
Fred enjoyed baseball most of all but followed football too. Old movies, nature documentaries, and rock & roll shows, all on KQED, were a favorite pastime.
He also liked gardening, fishing on Stevens Creek Reservoir in his small boat with friend Phoung, charter boat fishing with work friends, and tinkering around in his garage.
Fred was known for little and large acts of kindness. He was at the ready with his truck to help a sister with another move. He would grocery shop and run other errands for our Mom in her later years. After a hard day’s work, he would take her out to dinner or join her at her nursing home. He was dependable, and with a smile.
I often have thought that Fred was born 100 or 50 years too late; that he belonged in the Valley of Hearts Delight era, rather than our present Silicon Valley. I can see him pruning apricot trees, tending to the apple harvest, with a trusted dog or two by his side. A vegetable garden by the side of his farm house, a reliable truck and a tractor in the drive, and his neighbors knowing Fred would be always be ready to lend a hand if needed.
Obituaries tend to say the best of a person, and well they should. In Fred's case, he was always the best, in his quiet, daily living. He was an optimist, grateful for the good in his life. He was gentle and kind all his years and days.
Fred is survived by sisters Karin, Westmont class of ‘67; Valerie, PHS class of ‘70; Wendy, PHS class of ‘73; brother-in-laws Tom Hafkenschiel, Keith Fukunaga; and 2 nephews, Ian Hafkenschiel, Lucas Hassett, 1 niece, Haley Hafkenschiel.