Frederick C. Tecce

It is with tremendous sadness that we announce the passing of Frederick C. Tecce who left this world on April 26, 2025 surrounded by his family.
Fred/Freddie/Dad/PopPop/ and Uncle Freddie to those who knew and loved him was born in Philadelphia on July 16, 1935. He graduated from Penn Charter high school, studied Sociology at the University of Pennsylvania and was a graduate of the Dickinson School of Law in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
Although an attorney by training, Fred had a diversified professional career. He acquired patents covering various textile technologies, including those responsible for commercial substantial production of textured polyester yarn. He spent the next two decades leading a small team of dedicated professionals who took on some of the biggest textile and textile machinery manufacturers in the world. Their success was due in large part to Fred's keen legal mind, "outside the box" creativity, indomitable spirit and refusal to permit defeat.
In 1995, when called upon by then-governor Tom Ridge, Fred served as the chairman on the board of the Public-School Employees' Retirement System (PSERS) in Pennsylvania. In that role, Fred was a supremely dedicated and fierce defender of the teachers' pensions – often times making waves among the national investment community – which failed to deter him because he believed what he was doing was right.
Fred finished his professional career as the Managing Partner of a local venture capital firm. Over the years, he was also actively involved in residential real estate development including his family home in Gladwyne built with the singular purpose of providing a place where his family and friends could and would gather. For almost 50 years, that tradition continued when many frequently came together to celebrate holidays and important milestones.
If you were lucky enough to call him Dad, Pop-Pop or Friend (and countless people were) you knew that he was the one to go to for advice about anything and everything from career to family, and all else. Fred had a penchant for listening and was the go-to counselor and confidant for his family and friends. He was immensely generous with his time and attention and cared deeply for anyone who sought his counsel. He thrived on playing that role and delivered it with particular care and attention. You could often find him in Ocean City during the summer holding court on his back deck. Fred was also an avid automobile enthusiast who possessed an unparalleled wealth of knowledge. "Playing with his cars" was a true passion and his favorite pastime and he delighted in driving around with his grandchildren in a host of exotic cars including the "Jolly."
Fred is survived by his dedicated wife Tonia to whom he was married for 66 years and his six children, Fred, Marc, Pamela, Susan, Jamie and John. He is also survived by fourteen grandchildren Luke, Olivia, Samantha, Brendan, Eric, Cole, AJ, Madison, Michael, Lauren, Noa, Camilla, Jackson and Collins – all of whom, along with their parents, miss dearly his upbeat attitude, hearty laugh and sense of humor.
A mass of Christian Burial celebrating a life well spent will take place on Friday, May 2, 2025 at St. John Vianni's Church, 350 Conshohocken State Road, Gladwyne, PA. The family will greet visitors beginning at 9:30 AM, interment will be private.