Frederick R. Bruzzese, Sr. Retired UPD

Mr. Frederick “Champ” Bruzzese, Sr., age 92, of Utica, Retired UPD, passed away on Monday June 15, 2026, in the comfort of his home with his loving family by his side.

He was born in Utica on April 12, 1934, a son of the late Frank and Filomena (Paladino) Bruzzese and was a graduate of T.R. Proctor High School. On July 15, 1961, he married the love of his life, Anne L. Leogrande, in Blessed Sacrament Church, a blessed and devoted union of 64 years. Fred would go on to join the Utica Police Department in 1962 achieving the rank of Detective SGT in the CID Division, retiring after 42 years of dedicated service in 2004 at the age of 70. He was a life-long communicant of Mt. Carmel/Blessed Sacrament Church.

Fred was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, whose life revolved around work and family. A humble and honorable man, Fred was respected by all who knew him, peers and family alike. He had a heart of gold and a personality to match. His memory will forever live in the hearts of his beloved family.

Fred is survived by his loving wife, Anne; his sons, Frank (Lisa ) Bruzzese, Boston, MA and Fred Jr. (Michele) Bruzzese, Utica; his daughter, Nikki (George) Fanelli, New Hartford; his grandchildren, Frederick III (Nicole) Bruzzese, Gionna (Vincent) Arena, Nicholas (Annie) Bruzzese, George R. Fanelli III, Rocco L. Fanelli and Antonio V. Fanelli; his great-grandchildren, Frederick Bruzzese IV, Bennett Bruzzese, Vincent Arena, Talia Arena and Lucia Bruzzese; his sisters-in-law, Linda Pinto and Francine Bruzzese, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his siblings, Vincent Bruzzese, Paul (Lena) Bruzzese, Joe (Geri) Bruzzese, Frank Bruzzese (during WWII), Maria Bruzzese, Luke Bruzzese (during WWII), infant Philip B. Bruzzese, Mary Rose (Tom) Sardelli and Philip J. Bruzzese.

Relatives and friends are invited and may call on Monday, June 22, 2026, from 4 – 7 PM at the Scala, Roefaro & Karboski Funeral Home 1122 Culver Ave., Utica. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at 10 AM at Mt. Carmel/Blessed Sacrament Church where his Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Private interment will be in Calvary Cemetery where he will be laid to rest in the Bruzzese family plot.

The Bruzzese family wishes to thank the nurses and staff of Hospice & Palliative Care Inc. and also the 8th floor staff at the Wynn Hospital for the care and compassion given to Fred during his illness.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Veterans Outreach Center 726 Washington St. Utica, NY 13502, in memory of Fred. Envelopes will also be available at the funeral home.