Frederick Robert Brofazi

Frederick Robert Brofazi passed away peacefully in his Houston, Texas home on July 16, 2026 at the age of 93. He had recently joyfully celebrated 70 years of marriage to his college sweetheart and love of his life, Joan Kucinski Brofazi. He was a kind, generous, and gentle man who was adored by his entire family and well-respected by friends and colleagues. He was a “girl dad” before the term was coined, instilling in his three daughters a strong sense of their worth and the belief that they could achieve anything. Born on April 21, 1933 in Jersey City, New Jersey, Fred was the only child of Frederick Herman Brofazi and Mamie (Kaffka) Brofazi. His life-long love of sports led him to play baseball and basketball in high school. He continued to play baseball in college and was awarded an academic state scholarship to Rutgers University, where he was also a member of Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity and ROTC. After receiving his B.S. in Chemistry, Fred was awarded a Research Fellowship at Rutgers where he received both his M.S. and Ph.D. in Chemistry and was inducted into Phi Lambda Upsilon and Sigma Xi honor societies. He served in the US Army and the Active Reserves before receiving an honorable discharge with the rank of Captain. Fred’s professional career began as a research chemist with National Cash Register Co. in Dayton, Ohio before his move to the pharmaceutical industry in New Jersey. He spent over three decades working for Geigy Chemical Company and the merged Ciba-Geigy Corporation, ultimately serving as Executive Director of Pharmaceutical Quality Control, and took an early retirement to pursue his next challenge. Schering-Plough sought Fred to start up a Corporate Quality Assurance Department as its Vice President, where he was responsible for establishing policies and performing audits on all worldwide corporate operations, which he did for seven years. Fred’s distinguished achievements include publishing and presenting numerous technical articles and scientific papers, serving as President of the New Jersey Pharmaceutical Quality Control Association, member of the Advisory Boards to the National Formulary, the U.S. Pharmacopeia, the Pharmaceutical Manufacturer’s Association, as well as his role as adjunct professor at the Philadelphia School of Pharmacy and Science. After his final retirement, Fred and Joan moved to The Oaks in Osprey, Florida to fulfill one of his lifelong dreams, to live directly on a golf course in “paradise” where he was active as a Board member of the Clubside Homeowners Association for over 12 years. He enjoyed golfing until his body no longer allowed him to do so, growing orchids on their lanai, attending cultural arts events in Sarasota, and travelling worldwide on many cruises, with Joan dancing by his side. Fred and Joan took great joy in visiting family for holidays, especially the annual epic New Years celebrations, and they were always present not just for their grandchildren’s major milestones but also minor ones like concerts, plays, and sporting competitions. A desire to live closer to one of their daughters brought Fred and Joan to Eagle’s Trace Senior Living in Houston in 2022. There he enjoyed making new friends, attending numerous fun entertainment events, and raising a glass with the Audubon Wine Club. As notable as his career was, Fred would say his most meaningful achievement was the large and loving family he and Joan created. Fred is survived by his wife, Joan Carolyn Kucinski Brofazi, his daughters Diane Joan Overman (James) of Houston, Texas, Patricia Denise McCormick (Gregory) of Kiawah Island, South Carolina, Lauren Anne Carbaugh (William) of Great Falls, Virginia, his grandchildren Catherine Overman Hof (Joseph), Michael Overman (Gabrielle Boudoin), Brennan McCormick (Jessye), Emily McCormick (Sean Kelley), Colin McCormick, William Carbaugh (Reade), Caroline Carbaugh, and Charlotte Carbaugh, and his great-grandchildren Myles McCormick, Hayes McCormick, and Wyatt McCormick. He was predeceased by their baby daughter, Karen Jane Brofazi, and his parents, Frederick Herman Brofazi and Mamie Kaffka Brofazi. A funeral mass celebrating Fred’s life will be held and live streamed at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Sarasota, Florida at 11 AM EST on August 11, 2026. Contributions in Fred’s memory can be made to Foundation Fighting Blindness or a charity of your choice.

Frederick Robert Brofazi

April 21, 1933 - July 16, 2026