Frederick j. Urda, age 56, of Greene, beloved and dear husband, father, son and brother died Friday, October 13, 2017, at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester after a long and courageous fight against a rare blood disease: Aplastic Anemia. Known to many as Ted, he will be fondly remembered as a truly outstanding, caring and kind man; strongly committed to his wife, family, extended relatives, friends and community. Fred was loved by all who knew him. Born November 29, 1960 at Lourdes Hospital in Binghamton, he was raised on the family dairy farm in Smithville Flats. He graduated Greene High School in 1978 and on June 9, 1984 he married Anita Clark of Norwich.
For the past twelve years he worked for Lourdes Hospital in their Blood Lab as a Phlebotomist, drawing blood and supervising the lab. He was a dedicated volunteer Fireman/EMT for the Greene Fire Department and Greene Emergency Squad for over thirty years, having achieved the honor of “Firefighter of the Year” in 2014. He was a member of the Town of Greene Planning Board. He was also a member of the Immaculate Conception Church in Greene his entire life and held strong moral values. He was not afraid to stand up for what is right and what he believed in, regardless of the personal consequences. Ted dedicated his life to helping others and was a truly great and unique man with a vast knowledge of many things with a humorous, quirky wit and laid back personality.
Ted was a friend to everyone and was everyone’s friend. He loved being with people and always went out of his way to make people laugh with his quick wit. Fred greatly enjoyed hunting and making maple syrup each year, golfing, playing cards, and in recent years, Trivia on Thursday nights, for which he will be remembered as being a champion. Ted was a faithful fan of Syracuse Basketball and the Washington Redskins. He was a former member of the Smithville Flats Volunteer Fire Department.
Ted is survived by his wife, Anita; son, Zachary (Kristen) and daughter, Jennifer. He is also survived by his parents, Fred and Jean Urda, sister and brother in-law, Pam and Steve Northrup, brother Richard Urda and life partner, Kimberly Bennett. Ted adored all his nieces and nephews: Amanda (Northrup) Wells and Geoff, Andrea Northrup, Daniel Urda and Charlie Urda. He also had two great-nieces that he loved: Norah and Ava Wells. Fred is also survived by his mother-in-law, Linda Clark and a brother and sister-in-law, Wayde and Kay Clark, as well as several aunts, uncles and many cousins.
The family will be present to receive friends from 1-3 and 5-8 pm on Monday, October 16, at the Root Funeral Home, 23 N. Chenango Street, Greene, NY 13778. The Greene Fire Department will hold a service at 4:45 pm. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, October 17 at 11 am at the Immaculate Conception Church, 1180 State Hwy 206, in Greene, with burial services to immediately follow. A special thanks is sent to Lourdes Hospital, Strong Memorial Hospital and Hope Lodge. Also to all the many wonderful community friends for all the generous support and outpouring of love that was given during this most difficult and trying time. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Greene Fire Department, Greene EMS, the Immaculate Conception Church, or any charity of your choice.