Three Generations of Serving the Community

“For it is in giving that we receive.” – St. Francis of Assisi

Family and Educational Background:
Fred Strobel was born on December 9, 1946 at Wyckoff Hospital in Ridgewood, Queens. His parents, Marge and Fred Strobel (both deceased) were delighted to welcome their firstborn son into their Maspeth home. As Fred enjoyed his unique status, his sister Joan (Brazill) was born. Despite the customary sibling rivalry, Fred was always protective of and loving with his younger sister.

Fred attended PS 72 in Maspeth and graduated from Flushing High School.

In 1969, Fred met the beautiful Linda Heusser. They were married at St. Fidelis Church in College Point on October 3, 1970. Fred and Linda have two grown sons—Fred (31) a Vice President for Human Resources at Morgan Stanley, and Ken (29) a Surgical Physician’s Assistant at St. Francis Hospital. Fred and Linda consider themselves blessed to have two great daughters-in-law, Jackie and Georgette. Fred beamed as he produced a picture of his beautiful granddaughter, Amanda, which he carries in his shirt pocket. The proud grandparents eagerly await the arrival of their second grandchild in August.

Career Highlights:
While Fred was a student at Flushing High School, he went to work part-time with his father, Fred, at Maspeth Press on Grand Avenue and “learned the trade from the ground up.” Maspeth Press, one of the oldest family-owned business in Maspeth, was established in 1928 by his grandparents, Fred and Rose Strobel. Hence the previous reference to three generations of Strobels serving the community for 76 years. Upon graduation from high school, Fred went to work full-time at Maspeth Press and has maintained a thriving business ever since, with his wife Linda and his associate of twenty years, Anthony Mickalauskas, by his side.

Community Involvement:
Despite the demands of running a flourishing business, Fred always found time for community service. While his children were young, he worked with them in the Cub Scouts, the Boy Scouts, and a Church-sponsored Youth Ministry Group, organizing special Valentine and St. Patrick’s Day programs for the patients at Flushing Hospital. As the years went by, he also became associated with the Pastoral Ministry at Mary Immaculate Hospital, and Flushing Hospital. He occasionally visits patients in their homes, as well as in the hospital. He brings them Holy Communion, takes time to listen to them as they talk, and has stayed with patients when they were dying. With deep conviction in his voice, he said “There are no guidelines for communication with a dying person.” What you say and do “comes from the heart and the spirit.” Fred and Linda are Eucharistic Ministers in their parish church, St. Fidelis in College Point. They have been involved with finance and restoration projects at St. Fidelis and the Christmas gift giving for needy children and families. Participation in the collection and delivery of Thanksgiving meals to about 35-40 homebound parishioners has given them special joy.

Mr. Strobel is also an active volunteer in our local community. As Past-President of the Maspeth Kiwanis, he initiated the “Safe Haven” program for children; established the “Key Club” at Martin Luther High School; and helped raise funds for the Fire Department Honor Legion. Currently he is President of the Maspeth Chamber of Commerce. His overall goal as President is to “improve quality of life in the commercial and residential strips.” During his tenure, he worked on the banner and antique lighting programs on Grand Avenue. Holiday lighting on the avenue and overseeing the maintenance of the Maspeth triangles are among his other concerns.

Philosophy of Life and Living:
As his eyes glistened, Fred recited from memory a portion of the Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi: “O Master, grant that I may seek not so much to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love; for it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal life.”