Fred John Borich

September 5, 1950 - September 19, 2026

There are no words to express our gratitude for the love, prayers and support that everyone has shown during Fred’s 11-month battle with pancreatic cancer. Fred knew that he fought with an army behind him and he wore that support and love like a suit of armor into every treatment.

On Saturday, September 19, 2026, at 7:27 P.M. Central Time, Fred John Borich left this world peacefully while in the presence of his loving family.

Although Fred’s roots were always in Illinois, he later embraced Wisconsin as “home’. He loved everything about Wisconsin, especially the Northwoods—except of course, its football team. Fred passed away as he lived: a stubborn, die-hard Chicago Bears fan deep in enemy territory. We can take comfort in knowing that he now has the best seat in the house to watch the Bears win the Super Bowl this year. Go Bears!

Fred attended the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) and went on to have a distinguished career as an architect in the Chicago area. During his career, he served as a Vice President and Senior Project Executive for several major firms, including DMJM Illinois / DMJM H&N (later part of AECOM), McClier Corporation, and Gilbane Building Company. He left a lasting mark through the spaces he designed and the people with whom he worked. On hearing the news of Fred’s passing, one of his dearest friends and former co-workers said “Fred was a great friend, a really good boss and a s***load of fun”.

Fred met the love of his life, Valorie, during the summer of 1985. It was pure serendipity that they moved into the same apartment building and their apartments were right next door to each other. Their initial first meeting (in the laundry room) led to a friendship and eventually a love that few people will ever know. The love and adventures they shared, the friendships they formed and the family they raised will always be among Valorie’s most precious memories.

Oh, and here’s a fun fact: The year they met was during the ’85--’86 NFL football season when the Chicago Bears won the Super Bowl. Go Bears!

After retirement, Fred devoted his time to another lifelong passion; oil painting. His family will especially treasure the oil portraits he painted of each of his grandchildren—works of love that captured his talent and deep affection for them.

An avid reader, Fred belonged to an “Old Guys” book group at the YMCA. He also enjoyed playing Bridge, Chess, Mahjongg, Euchre, and board games with his family when they visited. As season subscribers to The Grand Theater in Wausau, Fred and his wife attended many of their performances. He often said that The Grand Theater performances were equal to if not better than any performance he’d seen in Chicago and the parking “was a heck of lot easier.”

In support of his community, Fred volunteered as a Mediator for the Marathon County Judicial System, contributing his time and negotiation skills to help others find agreement and resolution.

First and foremost, Fred was a true foodie who delighted in both preparing and sharing good food. A meal at Fred’s house was never just a dinner—it was an event filled with laughter, storytelling and incredibly good food. He enjoyed cooking everything—from a Moroccan chicken tagine with apricots and figs, to a spicy Cajun seafood gumbo, gourmet French dinners, holiday feasts and backyard barbecues. He brought a fearless passion to the kitchen, masterfully turning liver, fried onions and bacon into a work of art. But while his culinary tastes were vast, he famously drew the line at yogurt—proving that even a master chef has to stand for something.

A Bombay gin martini with an olive or a glass of Eagle Rare Bourbon over ice were often a welcome accompaniment to a good meal, good conversation, and time spent with the people he loved.

Some of Fred’s happiest moments were spent Walleye fishing on Lake DuBay and in Canada with his good friend, Greg Albert. Those days on the water, surrounded by nature and friendship were among the times when Fred felt most content.

Above all, Fred was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, family member and friend. He is survived by his loving wife, Valorie, his children, Franco (Adrijana), Suzanne (Nathan), Ben, and Abbey (Ryan); his sisters, Barbara (Don) and Laura (Brian); and many nieces and nephews.

Fred is further survived by his deeply cherished grandchildren, Kevin, Matthew, Alijah, Charlotte “Charlie” and Oliver “Ollie”.

Though Fred answered to many names throughout his life, his absolute favorites were “Grandpa” and “Blah Blah” (a name assigned to him by his granddaughter, Charlie, when she was too little to say Grandpa. The name stuck and will no doubt be what both she and her little brother, Ollie, will always call him).

Fred was preceded in death by his mother, Rose Borich; his fathers, Frederick Borich and Frank Borich; and his sister Karen (Tom).

A private Celebration of Life will be held for family and closest friends. In lieu of flowers the family asks that you play your favorite Jimmy Buffet song at full volume while raising a glass in Fred’s memory.

Fred leaves behind a family who will miss his laugh and the delightful, sometimes exasperating, sense of humor that he brought to our ordinary days. He would probably prefer that we skip the gloom, share a good meal, tell the truth only when it makes him look good, and remember him with laughter as often as tears.

Ladies and gentlemen, Fred Borich has left the building, but the stories, jokes and laughter he shared will stay with us forever.