Frederick Williams Laing, Jr

Frederick Williams Laing, Jr. of Hillsdale, NY passed away Monday, September 15. He was the son of Margery (Daley) and Captain Frederick Williams Laing, USN. He is survived by his beloved wife of 50 years, Sally (Nicolaisen), sister Janet (Laing) Hetterly, daughter Kelly and husband Richard Director of Denver, CO, son William and wife Elizabeth (Tenenbaum) of Atlanta, GA, son Michael and wife Roxana (Casals) of Kensington, MD, and eight adoring grandchildren.

Fred was born on June 10, 1936 in Tsingtoa, China, was a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy Class of 1958, and received an MBA from University of Chicago School of Business. He retired from the U.S. Air Force as Major in 1979 and began farming White Oak Farm in Hillsdale, NY. Fred was a familiar face at the Hillsdale-Copake and Philmont Farmer's Markets, and he also raised fish that went on to stock ponds all over the Hudson Valley.

Fred will be remembered for his humor, outgoing personality, and encyclopedic knowledge of all things. Perhaps most of all, he'll be remembered for his extraordinary musicality. Fred was a gifted singer who also played the violin, banjo, ukulele, and guitar. He was the music director of the River Bank Banjo Band for more than 25 years. His repertoire was astounding, and there wasn't a classic song he didn't know how to both sing and play from memory. His music was the soundtrack to our lives and will be greatly missed.

A memorial service will be held from 1 to 4 pm, Sunday, September 21 at White Oak Farm, 65 Whippoorwill Road, Hillsdale, NY.

In lieu of flowers kindly consider the Community Rescue Squad, PO Box 327, Copake NY 12516 or the Columbia-Greene Humane Society, 125 Humane Society Rd., Hudson NY 12534.

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