Lawrence Fredrick Sorel Jr.
3/15/62 – 7/18/21
On July 18th, at the age of 59, a beautiful human-being was received into his eternal home with his Savior Jesus Christ. After a valiant fight with cancer of 3 challenging years, God decided to call him home where he knew his 2nd daughter, Shelby Jean Sorel, would be waiting for him. It was time for Fred to enter into the peace he’s so deserved. Lawrence Fredrick Sorel Jr. was born on March 15, 1962 in Sarasota, Florida. He is preceded in death by his mother and father, Florence and Lawrence Sorel Sr.
He is survived by his loving family who will continue to honor his legacy by living their lives to the fullest; daughter, Megan Sorel; long life friend and mother of his child, Sharon Brown; sister, Julianne Foster; brother-in-law, Bart; niece, Amber; nephew, Tyler; great-nephews, Shawn, Drake, Aden, Josiah and soon to be twins, Niliah and Maiah.
He was a longtime resident of Tampa, Florida, attending St. Patrick’s Catholic School and Tampa Bay Tech. His family was known for owning the Bonanza restaurant. He took pride in his longtime business, Fred’s Custom Lawn Care. He could answer any trivia question and loved bowling as well as listening to music at the IDC. Fred had a passionate love affair with biscuits and gravy or anything mixed with ketchup lol anything. Krispie Kreme donuts, milkshakes from Steak ‘n Shake, Alessi pizza and Jimbo’s BBQ.
One of Fred’s biggest accomplishments was being a father. He was always there for his daughters through their ups and downs and taught them to enjoy every moment life has to offer. He lived the American dream, he dated the girl next door and later had his first daughter, Megan. He said that Megan and Sharon were the best things that ever happened to him. The simplest pleasures in life brought great joy to Fred, he loved his garden with all his exotic plants and flowers that would attract the butterfly’s and birds he liked to watch. It was the little things in life that Fred enjoyed. Fred loved nature, his favorite place was the river. Known as River Fred, he loved going to different springs with friends and family. Fred liked swimming, canoeing, tubing on the river. He would swing off of rope swings and dive out of 40 ft. trees, showing off for the women hence earning his nickname Tarzan. Everyone knew Fred was a ladies man, he always surrounded himself with beautiful women. He would say women are like pillows, you can never have to many.
Fred was bold and bright, his laugh would echo loudly in any room and he left a positive impression on everyone he met. Fred was a true Floridan, he was a die hard Miami Hurricanes fan, he loved the Bucs and was crazy about the Tampa Bay Lightning. He loved watching all sports, including wrestling (the wrestler, Alexa Bliss, was his favorite and was his screensaver for many years), cartoons, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, old time western movies, and the Macy’s day parade every Christmas Day.
Even though cancer took him away from this world, his loving heart left a beacon of light for all in the community. We will always remember his life, his outlook on life, his sense of humor, his heartfelt ways, how he showed his love, his hugs, his kisses, cheerful attitude and bright smile. He kept people in laughter because he could find humor in the most mundane life circumstances. His recent hobbies included flirting with the hospice nurses and saying the only reason he was there, was for them.
He will be truly missed.
Fred wished there to be no service, only a celebration of life at the IDC Bar and Grill.
August 28th at 3:00pm, I Don’t Care Bar & Grill. Pot luck, feel free to bring your favorite dishes.
9 Comments
Linda Folsom
This was beautufully put and describes Fred to a T. He was always so welcoming and had the biggest smile. You are already missed my friend. Fly with the angels.
Tony &,Phyllis Tardugno
Beautifully written. Fred was a dear, true and loving friend to both of us for over 20 years. We were family. Our hearts are broken. His smile and loving ways will be in our minds and hearts always. He will be missed and loved. May God bless his Daughter Megan. And all of his loving family. Our sincerest thoughts. condolences and sorrow.
Spencer
That was so perfect. Fred will be so missed. I have so many good memories through the decades I knew him. Even though we didn’t see or talk to each other for years he was always on my mind. I’m so glad we reconnected by tele and Facebook recently. Fred was a one of.a kind human being you meet once in a lifetime. My thoughts and love to Meghan and his whole family and close friends. I’m sure Fred already has Shelby with him. Rest in paradise my friend.
Peggy
Beautiful tribute to a wonderful friend. I will always cherish the wonderful memories we shared. My heart hurts 💔. But I can’t be selfish. You my friend are no longer suffering and in pain. I pray we will find a cure for Cancer. I will keep supporting the need for a cure. Too many lives taken by this awful disease. I pray that you are in comfort and peace. Dancing in the sky and swimming in the heaven rivers. Until we meet again my friend, I will keep you in my heart ❤ love you my Frankie. Always Your Patty
Peggy Crosbie
Beautiful tribute to a wonderful friend. I will always cherish the memories of our friendship and journeys in my heart forever. I will miss you, but I can’t be selfish. Cause I know you are no longer suffering in pain. That I am at peace with. Dance in the sky and swim in the rivers of heaven. Until we meet again my friend ❤ lu always
Tyler Foster
My buddy I love you with all my heart and this is a perfect discription of you,you always pushed me to keep going no matter what and to be a man I learned a lot of stuff from you in my life you even left me properties to make sure my family is taken care of I will forever keep you in my heart until we meet again god called home his angel that beautiful smile you always had on your face will forever be in my mind I feel you watching over me in spirit I’m glad you don’t have to suffer anymore I never seen you like that in my life and it hurt my soul forever but to know your at peace makes up for it I wish you never had to go through this but god always takes his toughest soilders you were a fighter I love you man and know your watching me right now ohh how I miss you bitching at me lol I always would just shut up and listen because everything you ever said was true and you never would beat around the bush my uncle fred was the best even though he knew he was passing all he was worried about was everybody else because his heart was full of joy and happiness ohh how I wish I could hold your hand one last time I love you buddy forever and always until we meet again give Shelby a kiss for me and tell all the family and my friends that have passed i love them too and I’ll see you guys soon ❤️ Save a spot for me 🙏 LOVE YOU UNCLE FRED ❤️
Sharon ODonnell
That was beautiful + .RIP fred fred 😇
Jeff Martin
Love you Fred…gonna miss the hell out of you.
Dave Lasvegas
I only knew Fred’s Daughter but reading this – Fred and I would have been friends. I am sorry for the loss of such a good human