ORLANDO, FL - Frederick Theodore Mergenthaler, Jr., 61, of 4323 Ravinnia Dr., Orlando, FL 32809, died February 25, 2010, in the comfort of his home, surrounded by his loving family, after fighting a courageous battle against pancreatic cancer. He was born on February 7, 1949, in Ilion, NY, the son of Frederick, Sr., and Grace Mergenthaler. He grew up and went to school in Mohawk and attended Herkimer County Community College. He belonged to the Methodist Church in Columbia Center as a child. He married his true love, Jo Anne Jacopelle, on September 20, 1975, at the Reformed Church in Mohawk. They have four children, Taine, Tanya, Kimberly and Freddie. Fred was a well-accomplished carpenter journeyman. His main projects consisted of exclusive homes in New England, New Jersey and New York City for Richard Gere, Ron Howard, Ivan Lendel, Tommy Hilfiger and many others. Other projects included in-home theatres, shoe stores, hotels, fitness centers, apartments, storage domes and homes all across the US. His works were published in the Architectural Digest and the Homes & Theatres magazine. Some projects, which he was very proud of, include the old train station in Cooperstown, the Under the Sea attraction based on the Finding Nemo story at Walt Disney World and the kitchen and stages at the Hard Rock Caf of Orlando. When he spoke to his wife of Orlando, he would say, This is my city. He enjoyed hunting, but he absolutely loved to fish. He taught all the kids and grandkids how to fish. He loved most all sports, but favored football the most. Fred had a wit about him that always made people laugh. He was trusting, loving and caring. His greatest joy was being a father, brother and uncle. His most cherished memories were of hanging out with his children, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews, and just playing cards or strumming the guitar with them. He will be missed by his beautiful wife, Jo Anne, and the family they created: Taine and Kelly and their children, Jordan Perrone, TD (Taine Daniel) and Allimae, of Youngsville, NC; Tanya and Phil Burkhart and their children, Philip, Gracie and Gianna, of Racine, MO; Kimberly and Joshua Welch of Orlando; and Freddie of Orlando. His siblings and nieces and nephews share in their grief: his brother and sister-in-law, David and Robin, of Ilion, and their family, Dave and Collette Mergenthaler and children, of Cheektowaga, and Shelly and Michael Cole and children, of Cedarville; his sister, Margaret Marie, of Utica, and her family, Bret and Lyndsey Woods and children, of Tallahassee, FL, Samuel and Krista Remp and children, of Rochester, and Hannah and Chris Blystra, of Grand Rapids, MI; his sister and brother-in-law, Lillian and Cliff Oram, of Ilion, and their family, Gabe Oram and Bonnie David and children, of Mohawk, Matt and Kelly Oram and children, of Richfield Springs, and Ashley and Jason Ossont and their son, of Ilion; and his sister-in-law, Marietta Mergenthaler and family, Frances and Steve Tubia and children, of Ilion, Michael and Kelli Mergenthaler and children, of Orlando, Chad and Brandy Mergenthaler, of Altmar, and Jimmy Mergenthaler and Nicole Moskal and children, of Orlando. He was predeceased by his parents; brother, Mike; nephew, Danny (who gave him the nickname Unc, which many referred to him as); niece, Brianna; and his great-nephews, twins Daniel and Blaise. He also touched the lives of numerous great-nieces and nephews, cousins and many beloved friends. His legacy and love of life, family and friends will live on forever. In lieu of flowers, to defray costs, please consider donations in the name of the family. Funeral service will be on Thursday at 7 p.m. in Fenner Funeral Home, Inc., 115 Court St., Herkimer. The family will be present in the funeral home to receive relatives and friends on Thursday from 4-7 p.m. Interment will take place later this spring in Cedarville Cemetery.