Fred Warshay

Fred Warshay passed away peacefully on October 15, 2026, at the age of 83. Born on April 25, 1943, in Brooklyn, New York, he was the son of the late Al and Rose Warshay and brother of the late Arlene Cohen. Fred is survived by his wife, Dawn Warshay; his two sons, Matthew (Jessica) and Brian (Karen); his beloved grandchildren, Adalyn, Myles, Donovan, and Nico; and his niece Jodi Imperato and nephew Evan Cohen.

Fred grew up playing stickball on the streets of Brooklyn and became an avid Boy Scout, eventually earning recognition in the Order of the Arrow. During his late teenage summers, he worked at hotels in the Catskills as a bellhop, spotlight operator for hotel shows, and jack-of-all-trades. He was also a talented baseball player, good enough to play for Hunter College while earning his accounting degree.

Fred spent his early career traveling the country with Hertz. Drawn by the spirit of the times and his interest in photography, Fred made his way to the famous Woodstock festival, where he captured photographs that were eventually published in Life magazine. He later found his way back to corporate America and into the restaurant business when he joined the George Lang Corporation. There, he rubbed shoulders with New York celebrities at the Café des Artistes. It was during this chapter of his life that he was introduced to Dawn on a blind date, beginning a relationship that would last more than five decades.

Fred and Dawn lived their 52 years together with gusto. They shared a love of food, music, shows, travel, and adventure. But perhaps nothing compared to the friendships they made after moving from the city to the suburbs of Eastchester, New York. Their neighbors brought tremendous joy and camaraderie to their lives during nearly 30 years in the community. Dinner parties, children’s playdates, vacations, and block parties marked the years as Matthew and Brian made their way through the public school system and college.

Fred was ever-present at his sons’ soccer and baseball games, helped them with their homework, and edited countless school papers. He taught them how to fix almost anything with his endless supply of tools and drew on his Boy Scout knowledge in his attempts to teach them survival skills and the art of tying a proper knot.

While Fred enjoyed those years immensely, he truly hit his stride in retirement. He embraced this new chapter by moving with Dawn to Oro Valley, Arizona, where they found a wonderful community of friends who shared their love of dinners, golf, pickleball, travel, grilling, and lingering around a fire pit deep into the evening.

Of all the joys in Fred’s life, becoming a grandfather to Adalyn, Myles, Donnie, and Nico was among the greatest. He treasured his time with them, loved hearing their stories, and never missed an opportunity to spoil them with treats.

Fred will be remembered for his sense of humor, quick wit, charisma, curiosity, and deep devotion to his family and friends. His warmth, generosity, and unmistakable zest for life will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.