That was one side of Fred and I don’t intend to repeat what I said last May. I would however like to tell you about my friend, the “Iron Mountain” – the man who loved life and all that it offered – the man who loved his Pat – who loved his boys – who loved his dog – the man who loved his house and his barn on North Street – the man even loved cutting the grass and would chain himself to a tree to prevent it from being cut down. He loved life. Fred was a man who loved his friends and many of you go back a lot farther than I. It is said that true friendship is like good health – the value of it is seldom known until it is lost. At this moment, I, and I’m sure many of you, feel a profound sense of loss. And if love could have saved him, he would have lived forever.

Fred loved good food and loved to prepare it in his, not Pat’s, gourmet kitchen. He loved getting a big Christmas tree each year – no artificial reproduction for him. He loved the “Orangemen” and his alma mater, Oklahoma State, of course. He cheered mightily at their success. He loved history, especially family history. I can remember telling him about his great grandfather, Simon Dodd, the 28th Mayor of the Village of Marcellus back in 1889. I told him “No wonder I like you, Fred – you’re not all German – you’re Irish too!”

Fred loved a challenge, whether it was improving his golf game with Mark at The Links or winning a pitch tournament at the American Legion.  Recently, he worked on getting a new home for the Marcellus Historical Society. Thanks to the generosity of the Steadmans and their friendship with Fred and Pat, their historic home at 18 North Street was donated to that group. His challenge then was to make sure the building was successful in every sense of the word. We visited with Ed Heinrich at State Parks to see what that organization could do for the Historical Society. He set up meetings with historic architects to make plans and seek grants and just a week before he got sick, he and I traveled to visit an historic home in Cortland to see what was being done there.

When Fred decided to run for a 3rd term as Mayor in 2002, I asked him “why?” He said, “Because I love being Mayor of Marcellus.” And he did love that job!

In fact, Fred probably loved Marcellus more than most natives. As Mayor for a dozen years, he was constantly trying to find innovative ways to improve the Village – just ask Bob Wilson how many projects Fred asked him to initiate.  He traveled to Albany, Saratoga, Canandaigua – almost everywhere in the State, to see what other communities were doing. He was a big fan of e-bay, buying anything related to Marcellus and donating it to the Historical Society. He also cautioned me, “Don’t tell Pat how much it cost.”

He was quite instrumental in helping new businesses in Marcellus – just ask Anne Marie at Angel Hearts, or Bonnie at The Chocolate Pizza or Dan and Dena at their restaurant on North Street. He always wanted to talk to and work directly with people and that was one of the reasons for his success.
 
In the history of our Village, only the legendary Lester Norris served longer than Fred Eisenberg as Mayor and following on the heels of another successful Mayor, Martin Sennett, he accomplished a great deal – most of which I don’t have the time to relate. Some of that success is not visible – like storm drains or sewer plant upgrades. However, when you drive on South Street, think of Fred – he made that possible with his relentless pursuit of grant monies. When North Street is completed in 2009, think of Fred – Fred began working on that project in 1999, and that was a very tough sell. When the creek walk is completed and you stroll along Nine Mile, think of Fred – it was his inspiration and effort that started it all. When you take your kids or grandkids to school, notice that big tree in front of Andy and Gina Powell’s house on First Street or those two big oaks in front of Driver Middle School – they are just three of hundreds of trees that Fred insisted we plant throughout the Village. For every one we took down, and he agonized over every one, he wanted to put back two – just ask Bob Crysler. When you walk on Main Street with its banners and Christmas lights, think of Fred – he always wanted to decorate the village and promote the welcome home that it has always been.

At our May testimonial, I mentioned that Winston Churchill said “we make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” Nothing more appropriate could be said about Fred Eisenberg. He epitomized what it means for an ordinary citizen to make a life for himself – he gave of himself for many years, to his community, to his home – so much time, effort and sincere involvement that I would be hard-pressed to list all that he did for our village in the valley – just ask Gary or Dawn or Elle how involved he was.

There was only one “Fred” for those of us who go back about 30 years or more in Marcellus, when our kids were growing up, playing on sports teams, watching them graduate, get married and have kids of their own – in recent years we talked a lot more about our grandchildren. Fred’s name will always evoke so many wonderful memories for me, for us. And when someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure.

A tombstone in Ireland bears the inscription: “Death leaves a heartache no one can heal. Love leaves a memory no one can steal.”

Goodbye, my friend. Your memory is a treasure and I will guard it forever.

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No farewell words were spoken,
No time to say goodbye,
You were gone before we knew it,
And only God knows why?

Although you might not remember what I say, I am sure that you will
always remember Fred – who he was, what he did, where you were
when you heard that this proud and gentle man, this good and decent
man, husband, father, grandfather and friend passed from our midst.