Frederick W. “Fred” Macias, 91, of Fostoria, beloved Dad, Pops, grampa, Papa Fred, brother, uncle, cousin, and forever General Manager and Coach of our Macias team, passed away at 3:42 am Saturday, January 7, 2023, at ProMedica Fostoria Community Hospital. He was a life-time member of St. Wendelin Parish, where his seven children (and a few grandchildren) attended St. Wendelin Schools.
He was born December 12, 1931, in Fostoria to the late John and Antonia (Munoz) Macias, who instilled in them from a young age, the importance of family.
He attended Bloomdale High School and later served honorably in the US Air Force (1951-1954), stationed in Germany.
He married Lucy Ceniceros on August 18, 1956, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, Toledo. They were married for 60 blessed years before her passing on March 13, 2017.
Fred worked for the Fostoria Foundry and General Dynamics, Lima; retiring after 41 years of service, having worked on the A1 Abrams tanks. In his younger days, Fred played baseball with his brothers, and friends whom he developed lifelong relationships with. He coached several teams, including his son’s little league baseball team, and two of his granddaughters’ softball teams. He also coached one of Fostoria’s first women’s softball teams, made up entirely of high-school girl athletes, including four of his daughters; and he definitely didn’t play favorites! He was all-time pitcher for the local neighborhood baseball pick-up games that his children played in. He was always ready for a game, such that the neighbor boys would knock on the door to the house and ask if “Fred could come out and play ball” with them.
Family was everything to Fred and his siblings. Annual family reunions were held with softball games the norm for a long time. He was all-time pitcher at the reunions. He was a lifelong, die-hard, Cleveland Indians fan. For several years, Fred and his brothers were staples at Indian home openers at Cleveland Municipal Stadium. He loved baseball and sports in general. When he married Lucy, she knew nothing about sports, but before she passed away, she knew all the favorites, Indians, Browns, ND Fighting Irish and the Buckeyes. She even learned how to keep score. He attended every event he could for not only his children, but grandchildren and great-grandchildren: baseball, football, basketball, soccer, hockey, gymnastics, band concerts, plays, and choir. He attended the annual NW Ohio Komen Race for the Cure for several years and could be found at Home Plate cheering the runners and walkers on. He was a strong man, both physically and mentally. He was the rock we needed, especially when his only son, Mark, passed away at 48. There is no easy way to say goodbye to this wonderful man, who was beloved by all. We will miss his jokes, stories, and sharing of history. Wherever he was, there was either laughter at his jokes or rapt attention listening to his stories. He made friends at all events and all who knew him enjoyed his presence. He was able to play all nine innings, and while we would have loved to have him go into extra innings, we know he is rejoicing in heaven with his beloved Wife and Son. Your job is done here on earth, good and faithful servant. Rest in peace, our beloved patriarch and forever coach!
Surviving are six daughters, Susan Antonia Macias, Bowling Green, Veronica M. (Jim) Burkhardt, Toledo, Nancy M. Macias, Toledo, Jacque M. (Doug) Tiell, New Riegel, Laura M. (Warren) Digby, Fostoria and Tricia J. Macias, Maumee; ten grandchildren, Aaron (Natalie Grieser) Burkhardt, Jake Burkhardt, Katie Burkhardt, Kyle Burkhardt, Phillip (Tiffany LaPoint) Macias, Kristen (Tyler Knowlton) Tiell, Pooky (Derek) Sallee, Alexandria (Kyle) Frank, Joshua (Kirsten Hansen) Digby, and Samantha Digby (Chris Riley); eight great-grandchildren, Jordyn Dillon, Jacqui Tiell, Lucy Sallee, Jory Hanna, Nash Knowlton, Clayton Macias, Hayden Macias, and Elio Frank; two sisters, Dolores Bucher, Bowling Green and Anita (Gary) Mueller, Godfrey, IL; and sisters-in-law, Cory Macias, Margie Cantu, Ramona Barboza, Angela Garwolinski, and brother-in-law, Vincent Ceniceros, Jr. He was also preceded in death by his beloved son, Mark Gerard Macias; five brothers, Henry, Louis, J. Charles, Richard, and infant Robert Macias; and sister, Mary Gomez.
Visitation is Thursday, January 12, 2023, from 3-8 PM at HOENING & SON FUNERAL HOME 133 W. Tiffin St., Fostoria, OH 44830 where a Vigil will be held at 7:30 PM.
Mass of Christian Burial is 10:30 AM Friday at St. Wendelin Catholic Church. Burial will follow in St. Wendelin Cemetery with the United Veterans of Fostoria Honor Guard providing military honors. A funeral luncheon will follow at St. Wendelin Church, Parish Hall.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Flag City Honor Flight, Findlay, or FACT (Financial Assistance Cancer Treatment) c/o funeral home.
Online expressions of sympathy may be made by visiting www.hoeningfuneralhome.com.
