Victor Wilson Fandrich

Victor W. Fandrich, 94 , formerly of 8 Boyle Ave and Westminster Manor, Auburn, died peacefully at Matthew House on July 30, 2020.

Victor was born in Auburn on March 5, 1926, the only child of Victor H and Viola (Dedrick) Fandrich.  He grew up on Standart Ave, attended Central High and East High, hitch-hiked to Kansas by himself at age 15, and left high school early to enter the Army Air Corp at the age of 17. He served as a B29 tail gunner in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He returned to Auburn, finished high school, and completed two years at Sampson Junior College in Seneca County. From there he transferred to the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, where he earned a BS in Business Administration in 1950. Following a brief stint with Dunn and Bradstreet in Kansas City, he returned to Auburn in 1951 and joined his father working at The Jacobs Press, attending RIT for a year to study printing. He met Marilyn McEntee in 1952, and they were married a year later. They raised four children in homes on Standart Ave, Dawson Ave, and Boyle Ave, and built a summer cottage in Springport Cove on Cayuga Lake in 1962.

Victor went on to run Jacobs Press, a successful printing company still under family ownership, until 1983, when he retired to enjoy traveling with Marilyn and spending time with family, especially at the camp in Union Springs. Together Marilyn and Vic visited every state except Alaska. They traveled internationally to New Zealand, Egypt, Israel, England, France, Germany, Austria, Bulgaria, Turkey, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Spain, Morocco, Italy, Greece, Bahamas, and Bermuda. They drove cross country numerous times, visiting historic sites, presidential libraries, and military forts, to reach their favorite winter destination in Monterey, CA, where they would spend several months. Vic also traveled to Dubai in 2010, and in 2013, at age 87, went on a “guys trip” to London with his two sons and three grandsons.  

Victor was a long-time member, elder, and Sunday School teacher at First Presbyterian Church, a member of the Masonic Lodge, and he served on the boards of Seymour Library and Fort Hill Cemetery. He became a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in 2016. His hobbies included hiking, sailing, fishing, and reading, especially historical nonfiction.

Victor was predeceased by his wife Marilyn in 2018, and by his son-in-law James Trapani in 2020. He is survived by his children Honorable Mark (Jill) Fandrich of Auburn, Molly (Michael) Trapani of Auburn, V. Scott (Karen) Fandrich of Jacksonville FL, and Beth Trapani of Fairport NY; nine grandchildren Sarah Trapani, Elizabeth (David) Verdi, Catherine (Stephen) Wolfe, Margaret (Justin) Rosen, Victor M Fandrich, Michael (Kelly) Fandrich, Jason Fandrich, Megan Trapani, and Nicholas Trapani; and five great-grandchildren Emma, Mia, Elliott, Calvin and Russell.

A private funeral will be held at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions can be made to support property improvements at Westminster Manor, 81 South St, Auburn, NY 13021.

Brew Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Victor Wilson Fandrich, please visit our floral store.