Mr. Alfred A. "Fred" Testa Ret. Ufd Jr.

YORKVILLE – Mr. Alfred A. "Fred" Testa, Jr., Ret. UFD, age 73, peacefully passed away on Saturday, April 13, 2024, surrounded by the company and love of his family. Born in Utica on July 18, 1950, Alfred was the son of Pasqualina (LaBella) Testa and the late Alfred Anthony Testa, Sr. He attended T.R. Proctor High School and graduated from Utica Free Academy. On June 14, 1980, he joined in matrimony with the former Kimberly "Kim" Gozy, and embarked on a treasured, supportive, and gracious marriage. They shared lots of laughter and had much admiration for each other's qualities. They were spirited in their love of over 43 years. A civil servant and dedicated member of the Utica Fire Department, he rendered 20 years of faithful service to his community in this capacity. With his innate quality of selflessness, this calling truly lined up with his life skills. Upon his retirement, he worked as an instructor of special needs children at Madison-Oneida BOCES. He saw this as an additional opportunity to serve the needs of others, and forge life-long friendships. That position spanned 10 years and was never forgotten in his mind and heart. Fred was the first to see someone in need and respond with a helping hand or kind word. He had a wonderful sense of humor and the gift of lightening any situation with an appropriate or inappropriate joke. A people person through and through, he was unwavering in his investment in others. His nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews were so very important to him, and he stayed vested in their lives for all the important times. He was known as "Uncle Fred" to so many, an honorary title he loved. He was unfailing in making others feel comfortable and had a true tenderness about him, that is his legacy. Fred reveled in the time spent at their camp at Sylvan Beach on Oneida Lake and was always puttering about fixing something. He was a "Mr. Fix-It" from painting to masonry to carpentry. He was a bit of a perfectionist, and his projects never disappointed. At the beach, he would savor the glorious sunset as a way to end a perfect day. He loved fishing on the canal and spent many hours in those unique waters. Golfing was also a sport he enjoyed with family and friends. He could always be counted on to form a foursome, and it never rained on the course for him. He also loved attending the car shows at the beach; he appreciated the quality of classic automobiles. Fred was made up of so many unique parts but one of the greatest compliments that may be paid to his life was that he was truly a "man's man." Though he was proud of all his life's accomplishments, he was most pleased with the relationships that were of most value to him: his wife, his family, and his nieces and nephews who he considered his "children." It was in these people that he found the most fulfillment. His congeniality was shown when Fred respectfully attended any engagement he was invited to. A member of St. Louis Gonzaga Church, Fred had a personal and private relationship with his Lord. Fred is survived by his devoted wife, Kim; his ma, Pasqualina; and his sister, Diane Korzec. He held close to his heart the memory of his sister, Patricia Testa, who preceded him. His loss is also felt by his cherished nieces and nephews, Kristopher Korzec and his fiancée Shannon David; Maranda and Jason Engelhart, and Former Captain U.S. Army Andrew Starczewski and his wife Brittany; his great-nieces and great-nephews, Karissa Korzec; Makenna Engelhart, Shea Engelhart, Blake Engelhart; Auston Starczewski, Harper Starczewski, and Jeffrey Starczewski Jr., he loved each and everyone one of them. He also leaves his memory to many cousins; his aunt, Rose Freedan; his sister-in-law, Valerie L. (Gozy) Starczewski (the late Jeff Starczewski); and his life-long friends to the very end, Givo, Tubby, Sal, Butch, all of his brothers from the Paisanos Club. He was additionally predeceased by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Abraham "Junior," Jr. and Linda (Wimett) Gozy. The Testa family would like to thank Dr. Jorge L. Ferreiro and the outstanding staff at the Wound Clinic for their hospitality, sensitivity, and personal touch; The Grand in Rome for their assistance and care; and the staff at the Abraham House in Rome for their beloved and unique care and kindness to the entire family. Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 18, 2024, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc., 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave. In lieu of floral offerings, memorial contributions in Fred's honor may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc. online at www.hospicecareinc.org/donate-online; or the Abraham House online at www.theabrahamhouse.org/donate; envelopes will also be available at the funeral home. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Alfred's funeral service and Celebration of Life which will commence on Friday, April 19, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. at St. Louis Gonzaga Church, 520 Rutger St., where the Divine Liturgy of the Faithful Departed will be celebrated by Father Boutros El Hachem. Interment will take place in Calvary Cemetery.