Fredric Shepard Salsburg

 Fred Salsburg, 85, died peacefully a few minutes into 2026, surrounded by family, after a valiant journey with illness for the past two years.

Fred was born and raised in Glenfield, a sixth generation direct Shepard descendant, the original settlers of the Tug Hill area of New York’s north country.  He graduated from Glenfield schools, class of 1958, with about a dozen classmates.  An only child growing up under the watchful eyes of his mother and aunt, he swam the Black River and Otter Creek and enjoyed working at his grandparents’ business, the Grieg Hotel.  As a boy, in the 1940s and 1950s, he was fond of the extended hunting trips with his father, uncle, and grandfather.  Never having the heart to kill, he instead helped at camp and enjoyed the stories of the camp cook, Cookie, while the men hunted. At an early age, Fred demonstrated proficiency in all things mechanical and honed his life-long curiosity in how stuff worked.  He shared his inventions and skills throughout his life and tried to improve the lives of others with his unique designs and relentless pursuits to fix what was broken.  Fred was always humble, kind, generous, full of good stories and great humor.

He married the love of his life, Pat, in 1961, eventually moving to Victor, New York, with their three kids.  Fred was a kind husband and gentle father, patiently teaching his children and grandchildren to be good stewards and citizens.  He endeavored with his inventions: There were the chalkboards he manufactured in the basement; the heating system he designed and attached to the home’s fireplace; the co-generating prototype system rigged to the furnace for greater cooling and heating efficiency; the stock car he built from scratch—frame and all—and then raced at the local track; and even an ambitious attempt to grow and process sorghum to help power his truck and support sustainable practices.  The story of how he rehabbed the old hand-dug well into potable water and rigged a solar powered system at his son’s Adirondack cabin is a tale of ingenuity, persistence, and a deep-held faith that all projects could be figured out.

In addition to his engineering jobs, Fred grew Christmas trees on the family’s small farm, responded to fire calls as a volunteer for the Victor Fire Department, and set out on camping adventures with the family.  After several patents and an early retirement from Eastman Kodak, he removed his wristwatch and relished each day as a new adventure.  He sailed the Finger Lakes, vigorously studied the Erie Canal while cruising its length, and took many trips throughout the state and into Canadian waters on his liveaboard boat.  Fred and Pat lived for a period of time on Canandaigua Lake, and there he found other civic-minded folks with the “Old Guys”— volunteers at Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion State Historic Park.  He was an active member of the Canal Society of New York State, the Early Ford V8 Car Club, and the oldest volunteer firefighter in Victor.  In the last decade of his life, he shared his mechanical skills at Serenity House.  He enjoyed snacks, and was known to keep a stash of candy in his toolbox.  He loved adventures by boat, rail, or in one of his many old Fords.  Though never a religious man, Fred Salsburg’s gospel was to live with kindness, curiosity, tolerance, humility, laughter, and in service to others, his community, and, especially, his family.

Fred is predeceased by his parents, Herb Salsburg and Madeline Shepard Salsburg; beloved wife Patricia; and son-in-law, Tom Taylor.  He is survived by his son, Jeff and Colleen Salsburg of Victor, NY; daughter Nancy and Steve Kinnett of Chagrin Falls, OH, and daughter Judi Salsburg Taylor of Fairport, NY; grandchildren Taylor, Logan, Colten Shep, Sophie, and Ashton; great-grandchildren Marlee, Addie, Winnie, and Lucy.  He will be missed by his lady companion, Anna Dillon. He is also survived by several in-laws, nieces, nephews, his beloved cat, Punky, and the many friends who will miss his calm and welcoming spirit.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for memorial gifts to Serenity House, 1278 Brace Road, Victor, NY 14564.  Calling hours will take place on Thursday, January, 8, from 10-noon, with a brief benediction at noon at Jarmusz Cotton Funeral Home, 26 Maple Avenue, Victor.