Frederick Sergio

Frederick Sergio died peacefully in Ashburn, VA on August 20, 2024, with his wife Carole by his side. He was 87 years old.
Fred was born November 11, 1936, in Brooklyn, NY, the "older brother" of his identical twin, Ted, who arrived moments later. The twins enjoyed their childhood playing in the streets of Borough Park, a Brooklyn neighborhood where Italian Catholic families lived alongside the many Hasidic families that also made Borough Park home. Fred's exposure to Catholicism and Judaism throughout his childhood played an integral part in his future.
After completing high school at Brooklyn Tech, Fred attended the United States Merchant Marine Academy where he graduated in 1960 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. His academic successes aside, Fred would light up a room recounting his favorite stories from his college days. Like when Fred and Ted would trade places at their respective colleges, Kings Point and Fort Schuyler. Or when, as a campus photographer, Fred spied the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen and created a story for the Kings Point collegiate magazine that required her to be in a photo shoot. That young lady was Carole Duminska, who agreed to be his model, and not long after, agreed to be his wife. Fred and Carole were married for 63 years at the time of his passing.
Fred's tenure in the Navy brought him and Carole to the Brooklyn Navy Yard and to Portsmouth, VA. During this time, the young couple welcomed their children Ted and Carolyn into their lives. After transitioning to the Naval Reserves, Fred joined IBM in Poughkeepsie, NY as a "three-piece engineer"; this was Fred's nod to IBM's strict dress code for engineers who would walk the factory floors in their required jacket, tie and vest. At that time, Melissa was born just before the family relocated to Northern Virginia where Fred was named Director of Engineering for the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA.) He later retired as a Captain from the U.S. Navy in 1996.
Once settled in Burke, Virginia, Fred and Carole practiced their Catholic faith at Holy Spirit Catholic Church and The Church of the Nativity. Fred renewed his passion for photography and simultaneously reconnected with the Jewish roots of his childhood as he became the go-to photographer for weddings, bar and bat mitzvahs for local synagogues. He dedicated decades to the local Northern Virginia Jewish community and was very much loved and welcomed by his brothers and sisters in the Jewish faith. And if you visited the Sergio household between the '70s and '90s, there is a good chance Fred shared his love of photography by convincing you to sit for a portrait session in his home studio.
Fred also spent 30 years as a Professor of Engineering at Northern Virginia Community College. He was instrumental in creating Engineering coursework that could transfer to Virginia Tech, a proud accomplishment of his time teaching. But most of all, he loved bringing his humor to the classroom and seeing his students develop and proceed on to receive four-year degrees in Engineering.
But of all the successes, the degrees, the accomplishments Fred accrued in his lifetime, truly his greatest success was found in his family. Fred instilled in his children a fierce sense of family, a solid work ethic, the importance of a good prank and the ability to laugh until you cry. He was a natural storyteller who brought humor and laughter to every situation. Until his last days, Fred was an advocate and a fighter for those less able. Even wheelchair-bound in his assisted living facility, if a resident was struggling, Fred would be the one to help. It was his innate nature to be a protector, a provider and a leader. He was a great man.
Fred was predeceased by his parents, Guido and Julia Sergio. Fred is survived by his wife, Carolyn E. Sergio, and brother Theodore G. Sergio, his son, Theodore W. Sergio (Linda), daughter Carolyn Harrigan (Mike), and daughter Melissa Sergio. He was the proud grandfather to Michael and Mae Harrigan, Samuel Sergio and Eli Craig.
The family will receive friends for a visitation which will be held on Thursday, November 7, 2024, from 4:00-7:00 pm at Loudoun Funeral Chapel.
A funeral Mass will be held on Friday, November 8, 2024, at 10:00 am at St. Theresa Parish in Ashburn, VA.
Please join Fred's family for food and drinks to celebrate his life on Friday, November 8 at 11:30 am.
Fleur de la Marie Restaurant in the Lansdowne Woods Clubhouse
19375 Magnolia Grove Square, Lansdowne, VA.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Fisher House Foundation, The Wounded Warrior Project or to The Church of the Nativity (Burke, VA.)
Share condolences with the family www.LoudounFuneralChapel.com