02/11/2026
Frederic (Fred) J. Stievater passed away peacefully on February 4, 2026, at the age of 81.
Born in Buffalo, NY, to Willard and Marie Stievater; he is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Jaan; his children Mark and Lisa (Joseph) Smith; his grandchildren Leah, Abbie, Matthew, and Molly; and his sister Susan.
Fred graduated from Canisius College in 1966 with a bachelor’s degree in political science and then served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War from 1966 to 1968.
He had a 47-year career as a commercial lines underwriter working at several Buffalo-area insurance companies, starting at the Travelers Insurance Companies and retiring from Keller Insurance Company.
A long-time resident of West Seneca, Hamburg, and Bay Beach, Ontario. Fred devoted his time and energy to his profession and his community by serving in a variety of volunteer positions, including Past-President of the Western New York Chapter of Independent Insurance Agents; Co-chair of the “I-Day” Insurance Convention and Past-President of the Insurance Club of Buffalo; member of the St. Catherine’s of Siena Finance Board; member of the Buffalo Zoo’s Pro-Zoo Board, Past-Chair of the organization’s annual Zoo-B-Que, and a zoo docent; member of the Board of Directors for the Theater of Youth Company, Inc.; member of the West Seneca Democrats; member of the Town of West Seneca Planning and Zoning Board; and member of the Buffalo Canoe Club.
Fred was a life-long Buffalo Bills fan, an avid reader, and a seasoned traveler who, along with Jaan, had the good fortune to visit several far-flung destinations, including Russia, the Panama Canal, and Australia. He loved college basketball (especially his alma mater’s Golden Griffins), playing cards and board games with his grandchildren, and the family cottage in Bay Beach, Ontario. He was the life of the party and will be sorely missed by his many friends and admirers with whom he shared his gift of humor and laughter over the years.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, February 28, 2026, at 10 AM at St. Bernadette Catholic Church in Orchard Park, NY. Visitation will take place at Cannan Funeral Home on Friday, February 27 from 4:00 to 8:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Fred’s memory to the American Lung Association (www.lung.org), Buffalo Zoo (www.buffalozoo.org), Canisius College (www.canisius.com) and Family Promise of Western New York (www.fpwny.org). Online condolences at www.cannanfh.com.
