Fred C. Laccabue

1933 - 2014

Fred C. Laccabue
Resident of Cupertino
Born in Chicago, IL on May 26, 1933 to James Ronald Laccabue, Sr. and Mary Ann Gassi, Fred passed away at home in Cupertino, CA December 11, 2014 with his family at his side.
Fred graduated early from St. Mel High School and spent a semester at St. Mary's College, Winona, MN before attending the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he received a B.A. in Mathematics. He was so proud when son, Michael, also graduated from UIUC in 2012.
Fred always had a strong work ethic. Delivering groceries for the Hamlin corner market at age 9 was just the beginning of his successful 70-year career. He was a born manager, starting at the Alex Theatre in Chicago as a teenager, then running the kitchen at Newman Hall where he lived throughout his U of I years.
Upon graduation, Fred left for San Diego to begin his professional career at Convair/General Dynamics. While there, his love of music gave him the great opportunity to sing with the Robert Shaw Chorale. San Diego, where he especially enjoyed deep-sea fishing and golf, would become one of his two favorite places in the world, and it later became a second home to both Michelle and Michael.
In the early '60s, Fred worked for Control Data Corporation, where he eventually settled in his other favorite place – the San Francisco Bay Area, calling Cupertino home. CDC was the lead contractor for the Air Force's Advanced Logistics System of the Air Force Logistics Command; Fred managed the project for many years from the pre-bid stage until late in the project. Fred loved almost any card game, but it was a poker game started between him and some CDC friends on a Friday night in 1966 that not only became a tradition, but legend. Those games continue today with many of the same buddies. The last game was in February and Fred was there.
Fred held management positions in many companies in the computer systems industry, including Fairchild/Schlumberger and Tandem/Compaq/HP, from where he retired as VP of HP's NonStop Systems Development in 2012.
Fred loved life and had an energy, curiosity and determination that could at times be hard to keep up with. Trite but true, his mantra was "accentuate the positive" whether at home or work, and was put to the test on more than one occasion, as many of his colleagues will attest to. He understood the business, was dedicated and honest with his employees and customers, and treated everyone fairly. Always, Fred was a gentleman. Those traits produced many friendships throughout the years that continue today. His life was a weave of people, experiences, and situations that made for endless interesting and entertaining stories.
Fred's other passions included food and sports. In addition to frequenting his favorite restaurants, not only for the food but also the friendships he made over the years, he enjoyed cooking and was known to name his best recipes after himself. Overcoming polio as a teen, he loved playing golf and racquetball, especially when beating younger opponents. The family spent many vacations together golfing at Singing Hills. Fred also shared his passion for cycling with Michael. They rode their bikes together most weekends, leading Michael to later ride centuries and assistant manage the Cupertino Bike Shop.
Devoted to his family, he is survived by his wife Michelle, their son Michael, mother Mary Ann, brother James Ronald, Jr., nieces and nephews, sharing a special bond with nephew and buddy, Jim, children Brenna, Julie, Fred Jr., Ronald, Steven, Susan, and Joseph, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Private services. Donations may be made to Hospice of the Valley, 4850 Union Ave., San Jose, CA 95124, with special thanks to Judy and Margarita for their superb and compassionate care.