Fred Babitz's Obituary
FRED BABITZ
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Fred Babitz, who passed away peacefully at home on May 31, 2023, at the age of 93, leaving to mourn family and friends. He was born on July 1, 1929 in the Bronx, N.Y., to Russian immigrant parents.
He was loved and cherished by many including his beloved wife Marilyn of 71 years, who predeceased him; his children, Elayne Spevack, Sherry Ginsburg, Bryan Babitz, Lynda Furnari and Martyn Babitz; and his beloved grandson Bradley who predeceased him. He was also cherished by three sons-in law and two daughters-in-law, 15 grandchildren, and 9 great grandchildren.
In the early 50s, Fred was a Master Sergeant in the New York state Army National Guard, commanding a field artillery unit.
On April 1, 1950, Fred and his partner opened Bronx Master Sales, which was renamed Savemart a few years later, a retailer of appliances in Bronx, New York. Fred’s vision for the future with the growth of television and stereophonic music in the 1950s lead to a change in course with Savemart specializing in home entertainment products. Savemart grew into a chain of more than 25 stores with locations throughout New York and northern New Jersey. Fred became a highly respected and admired business leader in the New York metropolitan area.
Fred sold his interest in 1991 and retired to the Indian Springs community in Boynton Beach, Florida, moving from the home in Glen Rock, New Jersey where he and Marilyn lived and raised their family for over 30 years.
Fred enjoyed a very active and enjoyable retirement. He and Marilyn were avid golfers, tennis players and bridge players, with an active social life involving many close and fulfilling friendships. Fred was the chief planner of golf foursomes and tennis matches, and served as President of his Homeowners Association.
In 2022 Fred and Marilyn moved to Canyon Country, CA., where they lived with daughter and son-in-law, Lynda and Dominick Furnari surrounded by the love of his family, including three nearby granddaughters and two great grandsons.
Fred was a loving family patriarch and remarkably successful entrepreneur who led an extraordinary life and leaves an indelible, wonderful legacy of three generations of family and countless lives that he touched and impacted for the better.
Fred Babitz stands apart as an incredibly talented, intelligent, creative, driven, loving and responsible man who served his country with honor, founded and built a great and successful business over a 40-plus year period, and enjoyed and loved his family and friends to the fullest with tireless energy, zest and joy for life that few could match. Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” was Fred’s favorite song and mantra. He certainly lived his life “His Way”!
In lieu of flowers, Fred's family asks that you instead consider a contribution in his memory to the American Cancer Society at https://donate.cancer.org.
What’s your fondest memory of Fred?
What’s a lesson you learned from Fred?
Share a story where Fred's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Fred you’ll never forget.
How did Fred make you smile?
