Tomhannock, NY- Fred Phillip Tesman, born to Helen and John Tesman in Manhattan, New York, on September 23, 1933, passed from this life December 7, 2025, at St. Peter’s Hospital Hospice Inn surrounded by his beloved wife of 70 years, Kathleen “Kay” (Wein) Tesman, and their children.
Living most of his 92 years on Otter Creek Road, Fred loved to chat and quickly worked his way into the hearts of everyone he met. He loved his family, his home, his cat (Trinda), his gardens, the deer who appeared on the hillside outside during morning coffee, and especially his bluebirds.
A self-made man of many talents with an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, Fred was a master welder and sheet metal worker, who loved his dream job as the Aeronautical Laboratory Supervisor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for 25 years. With a high school G.E.D. and a wealth of enviable skills he had taught himself, Fred worked with some of the brightest engineering minds in the world to build a wind tunnel that tested the airplanes he always dreamed he would one day fly.
For many years, Fred proudly dedicated his time and skills to the maintenance/renovations crew for St. Monica’s Roman Catholic Church in Johnsonville until its closure. A true family man, avid reader, music lover, history buff, gentleman farmer, and member of the Pittstown community, Fred will be sorely missed. Until we meet again, we will all be looking for you among the stars in that big beautiful sky.
In addition to his wife, Kay, Fred’s family legacy includes his seven children and their spouses, Pamela and Joseph Ivy, Lisa and Thom Popp, Michelle Tesman, Todd and Penny Tesman, Rebecca and Mike Hankle, Jeff and Sandy Tesman, and Amy and Darryl Lee, 19 grandchildren, Jason Desrosiers (Shannon), Alyssa Ivy, Heather Bayly (Christopher), Christina Popp, Scott Popp, Brent Popp, Chelsea Tesman, Nicole Healy (Kevin), Zachary Tesman (Karla), Makenzie Tesman, Stephanie Hankle (Chenzo), Laura Keyes (Steven), Erica Dessingue (Michael), Owen Hankle (Paui), Christopher Lee, Joshua Lee, and Casey Lee, and 18 great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a son, Wayde Phillip Tesman, and two grandchildren, Dalen Earl Desrosiers and Aaron Desrosiers.
Relatives and friends are invited to gather and attend a Mass of Christian Resurrection in celebration of Fred’s life offered by his longtime friend, Fr. George Fleming, at Transfiguration Roman Catholic Church in Schaghticoke, New York, at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, December 15, 2025. Burial will take place at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Fred’s memory to the Hospice Inn at St. Peter’s Hospital, 315 South Manning Blvd. Albany, New York 12208.
Living most of his 92 years on Otter Creek Road, Fred loved to chat and quickly worked his way into the hearts of everyone he met. He loved his family, his home, his cat (Trinda), his gardens, the deer who appeared on the hillside outside during morning coffee, and especially his bluebirds.
A self-made man of many talents with an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, Fred was a master welder and sheet metal worker, who loved his dream job as the Aeronautical Laboratory Supervisor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for 25 years. With a high school G.E.D. and a wealth of enviable skills he had taught himself, Fred worked with some of the brightest engineering minds in the world to build a wind tunnel that tested the airplanes he always dreamed he would one day fly.
For many years, Fred proudly dedicated his time and skills to the maintenance/renovations crew for St. Monica’s Roman Catholic Church in Johnsonville until its closure. A true family man, avid reader, music lover, history buff, gentleman farmer, and member of the Pittstown community, Fred will be sorely missed. Until we meet again, we will all be looking for you among the stars in that big beautiful sky.
In addition to his wife, Kay, Fred’s family legacy includes his seven children and their spouses, Pamela and Joseph Ivy, Lisa and Thom Popp, Michelle Tesman, Todd and Penny Tesman, Rebecca and Mike Hankle, Jeff and Sandy Tesman, and Amy and Darryl Lee, 19 grandchildren, Jason Desrosiers (Shannon), Alyssa Ivy, Heather Bayly (Christopher), Christina Popp, Scott Popp, Brent Popp, Chelsea Tesman, Nicole Healy (Kevin), Zachary Tesman (Karla), Makenzie Tesman, Stephanie Hankle (Chenzo), Laura Keyes (Steven), Erica Dessingue (Michael), Owen Hankle (Paui), Christopher Lee, Joshua Lee, and Casey Lee, and 18 great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a son, Wayde Phillip Tesman, and two grandchildren, Dalen Earl Desrosiers and Aaron Desrosiers.
Relatives and friends are invited to gather and attend a Mass of Christian Resurrection in celebration of Fred’s life offered by his longtime friend, Fr. George Fleming, at Transfiguration Roman Catholic Church in Schaghticoke, New York, at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, December 15, 2025. Burial will take place at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Fred’s memory to the Hospice Inn at St. Peter’s Hospital, 315 South Manning Blvd. Albany, New York 12208.