Fred C. Baranowski

Fred Baranowski, 70, passed away due to complications from Parkinson's disease on January 24, 2024. Fred was born in Chicago, one of five kids whose parents moved them to San Diego in 1961. Fred split his high school years between Saint Augustine and Grossmont. His keen leadership skills were evident early on as Senior Class Vice President. He was a starting guard on the basketball team, and even led cheers as the Gus Grossmont mascot. He was named the 1970 Boy of the Year by the La Mesa Exchange Club and beat out nine other nominees to be named as the state's most outstanding high school student by the California Exchange Club.Fred attended the University of Notre Dame, graduating in 1974. To his last days, the very mention of USC always elicited a strong reaction. The Fighting Irish flag always flies by the front door every Saturday during college football season.Fred saw a good part of Southern California (including Corona, Bishop, and Needles) as he worked his way up within Bank of America from 1974 to 1997, culminating in his tenure as Senior Vice President managing the bank's downtown San Diego branch. One of the highlights of working at the bank was meeting his wife of 41 years, Jan. Raising and supporting a family was his proudest accomplishment. As each of their three sons, Steven, David and Kevin, grew up in Tierrasanta, the family's sports horizons expanded with Jan and Fred getting involved in soccer, baseball, lacrosse and water polo activities. He served as President of Tierrasanta Little League for two years and was selected as Grand Marshall of the Tierrasanta Patriots Day Parade.Leisure time was spent golfing, snow skiing, trips to the Colorado River and traveling by cruise ship.Fred was a stalwart Padres spring training attendee, joining good friends (collectively known as the "McKingski's") in 40 consecutive years of major league adventure in Yuma and Peoria. He followed college and professional football, dutifully doing NFL "pick'ems" with a good friend for 49 consecutive seasons. He won his last pick'em on the Sunday before he passed.Fred also held executive positions at Southwest Community Bank, 1st Pacific Bank, AmericanWest Bank, City National Bank and Banner Bank. He forged and maintained numerous friendships in the local banking community, sustained by arranging the annual banking alumni luncheon for the past 20 years. Fred's desire to enhance San Diego was evident in the many organizations he joined and led. When he noticed new buildings under construction downtown while at the helm of the Downtown San Diego Partnership, Fred often joked that his favorite bird was the (construction) crane. He was on the Petco Ballpark Task Force and was proud of the resulting revitalization of the local East Village neighborhood.Fred supported his community in many other ways. He was President of the United Way of San Diego County, chaired the San Diego Humane Society Board of Trustees, Board of Directors Boys and Girls Club of San Diego and was a board member of the YWCA San Diego County. He enjoyed being a member of Rotary International for over 25 years and served as President of both San Diego Rotary Club 33 and the Rotary Club of Escondido. He led the Finance Committee for the First 5 Commission of San Diego County for 13 years with recognition by the County Board of Supervisors for his years of service. Fred also served on the Finance Council of the Diocese of San Diego. Fred was preceded in passing by his mother Genevieve and father George. He is survived by his wife Jan, sons Steven (Cheryl), David (Jenny) and Kevin (Morgan), as well as David and Jenny's sons Max and Mason. His surviving siblings are Mark (Eileen), George (Mary Jo), Claudia (Tom), and Dan (Kathy). He was a caring uncle to Niles, Sam, Lacey, Greta, Teresa, Tyler, and Matt, and a cherished cousin and extraordinary friend to many. Fred's wit, intelligence and storytelling will be missed by those who knew him.Heartfelt thanks from Jan and her family are sent to all the caregivers who tended to Fred's well-being.In lieu of flowers a tribute donation may be made to either San Diego Humane Society sdhumane.org/Fred or MSA Coalition multiplesystematrophy.org. Contact the family for the Celebration of Life details.