WESTFIELD – Frederick S. Kareta, Jr., 72, died suddenly on June 14, 2020 at his home. He was born on May 4, 1948 in Holyoke and was the son of Frederick and Josephine (Strzempko) Kareta. He was educated at Mater Dolorosa School and Holyoke Catholic before furthering his education at STCC and UMASS and completed his Master’s Degree in Chemical/Mechanical Engineering at Western New England College. He worked in the field for a variety of companies, including Dearborn, Metro Group and WR Grace. He served in the US Air Force prior to his graduation.
Fred was a communicant of St. Jerome Church in Holyoke and was a member of the Holyoke Knights of Columbus Council 90, the Chicopee Elks No. 1849 and the American Legion Post 325. He will be deeply missed by his wife Kathryn (Wise) of 36 years, along with his daughter Dr. Kerry Kareta and her fiance Dr. Amir Fakhrzadeh of NJ. He also leaves a sister Connie (Roger) Barre of Belville, IL, his brother in laws Edward Wise of Hatfield, Ralph Wise and wife Meredith of S. Hadley, Dale Wise of Agawam and many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his son “Joe” Kareta in 2010 and sister Karen Kareta-Stevenson.
A Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, June 20 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Jerome Church followed by burial with military honors in Mater Dolorosa Cemetery. A calling hour will precede the mass from 9:00 – 10:15 a.m. at the Beers & Story South Hadley Funeral Home, 646 Newton St, (Rte 116). Due to the current pandemic, please be mindful that masks are required, please practice social distancing and all are respectfully asked for no direct contact with the family. For those wishing to honor Fred’s memory, please make donations in his memory to the Joe Kareta Scholarship Fund (c/o Westfield State Foundation, P.O. Box 1630, Westfield, MA 01086). For more information and online guestbook, please visit www.beersandstory.com.
