Fred Roger Quartlebaum, Sr.
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We celebrate the life of Fred Roger Quartlebaum, Sr., affectionately known as “Freddy Q” and “Pop Pop”, who fought cancer with unwavering courage and grace until his peaceful passing at home on January 23, 2023. Fred was born in Harlem, NY on November 24, 1943, to the late Gladys Quartlebaum. He was raised on West 118th Street and received his formal education at Wadleigh Junior High School and George Washington High School.
Fred began his career at HARYOU-ACT (Harlem Youth Opportunities Unlimited – Association for Community Teaching), an organization dedicated to improving the educational and economic opportunities for young people in Harlem. It was there that he met his former wife, Diane, in 1965. Two years later, they were married and blessed with their loving son, Freddie Jr.
After dedicating his time and energy to HARYOU-ACT, Fred studied computer programming at Albert Merrill School. He ultimately decided to pursue a career as a New York City bus operator, joining MABSTOA (Manhattan and Bronx Surface Transit Operating Authority). He proudly served the Harlem community for 20+ years, dedicating himself to providing safe and reliable transportation out of the Lenox Ave and Broadway depots until his retirement in 2008.
One of Fred’s greatest passions was basketball, which began during his days at Wadleigh, where he was considered one of the elite players along with Vaughn Harper, Jimmy Jackson, Rodney Butler and Sam Penceal. He spent most of his free time at the basketball courts on 118th Street and Morningside Avenue, as well as the famous Rucker Park. He attended the annual Old Timer’s Day held at Morningside Park, where he reunited with former players, family, and friends. Freddie Jr.’s fondest memory of this event was his dad introducing him to playground legend, Earl “The Goat” Manigault. Fred was proud to see his son Freddie and grandsons, Trey and Mayson, follow in his footsteps and play the game he cherished.
In addition to basketball, Fred enjoyed reading, bowling, golf, and music. He was a big fan of Smokey Robinson; loved singing his songs and even resembled him. In fact, Fred celebrated his 79th birthday this past Thanksgiving with a family zoom call and a surprise video message from Smokey Robinson himself.
After his retirement, Fred mainly focused on golf. He spent many years playing with a core group of golf buddies, sharing many memories of playing in the tri-state area as well as annual golf trips. In 2018, Fred decided to relocate to a warmer climate where he could play golf year-round and found a new home in Arizona. He enjoyed many rounds of golf, as well as attending the Phoenix Open, until the onset of his illness in 2021.
In April 2022, Fred moved to Lawrence, Kansas to be with his son and daughter-in-law, Christy. There he received love and care from family, his companion Lynda, medical staff, and dear friends throughout the Lawrence community, until his passing.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
In honor of Fred’s legacy and courageous battle with cancer, donations can be made to the Rock Chalk Roundball Classic @ RockChalkRoundballClassic.Com or may be sent in care of the mortuary.
It was a pleasure to consider Fred as a loved family member. You will be missed. Until we meet again. Blessings to the Quartlebaum family.
We are so blessed to have known such a wonderful soul. You will be missed and all memories of you are fond. Love and miss the Q crew always.
Quartlebaum family, we are so sorry for your loss. Please know that you are in our thoughts.
He raised a tremendous gentleman in Freddy Q. Jr. and clearly the apple did not fall far from the tree. What a legacy he created. And my heart goes out to the family for the loss of such a great man who has gone to be with the ancestors. Rest in power.
Pop Pop! You were a true gem and such a blessing to us all! We know that you’re resting comfortably and that you’re at peace now! I’ll continue to watch the “Oval” for you and update you on the drama! 😂😘
Until We Meet Again- With Love,
Your GA Family,
Kitties, Patti, Jalen & Korri
Q, you have my deepest condolences.I pray for peace and comfort for you and the family.we will keep you all in our prayers.God Bless🙏
Thoughts and prayers
From the Wesley family
Wishing you peace, comfort, courage, and lots of love at this time of sorrow.
Sending hugs love and prayers to you Freddie and family! My thoughts are with you at this time. Rest well Uncle Fred!
Such an amazing soul. He made me smile every time I had the pleasure to be in his presence. I am praying for your comfort in this time of great loss.
Love you .
No greater gentleman than Pop Pop! Blessed to have had you in our lives. Our lives were enriched by your stories, strength, and smile. Your legacy will live on in the quiet moments you spent with your AZ family! We love and miss ya bunches! 💙
Q and family thank you for sharing your blessing with us. We love each of you!
Uncle Freddie you will be missed you left a legacy your warm smile and your hearty laugh I can still even from my childhood rest in paradise. My prayers for the family are comfort and peace.
Dear Freddie and Family:
May your memories of your father comfort you. Your parents raised a beautiful family
and your sons I am sure are a chip off the old block following the sport of basketball to the fullest.
Your mother is such a wonderful person I might add as well. So kind and loving.
Thinking of you. Laura Bisignano
Q, my brother so sorry for your loss. I can see your dad at the Fordham basketball games. Stay strong my brother. Hugs to you and the family. Much love and prayers.
What a beautifully written remembrance of Mr Q. A story like that can switch you off from the anxiety and sadness we feel for a friend who has lost a loved one, and switch you on to channel the energy towards the celebration of his wonderful life. I have the entire Q Crew at front of my mind and sending comforting vibes and prayers your way.
Our condolences to Freddie Jr. & Family.
Fred was a great friend of our entire family. He will be greatly missed. We have beautiful memories of all the times spent together.
Rest In Peace our friend.
Keeping you in our prayers.
From the Doggett Family.
To the family of Fred, God be with you at this time. I met Fred through Dana and enjoyed the the times golfing we had in Myrtle Beach. God bless you all.
Thomas Lovelace
Our condolences to Freddie jr. & family. Fred was a member of our Vanny Golf Club Bronx NY for several years before moving to Arizona. A great memory with Freddie was attending the Pheonix Open with him & a few other members. I will miss you my friend. RIP.
Felix
To the Quartlebaum family ,may God give you peace at this difficult time. I must say, Freddie Cue was one of the most easy-going guys I’ve ever met, and most generous. I’ll never forget that he gave me a pair of The Kansas Jayhawk shorts. Freddie didn’t care nothing about chipping or putting all Freddie want to do was hit that ball long and boy when he caught it right it did get on out there.
Nothing but love for thquartlebaum family, God is good and looking out for our brother Fred, till we meet again on the other side my brother, peace be with you.
Going to miss you we lived one block from each other in Harlem after 60years later we met on the place we both lived on a golf course may you rest I’m pease
Our Condolences to Freddie and his family. Your Father was like an Uncle to us and was always loving and kind. Rest Well Uncle Fred,
Love Dana, Erik, Jeremy and Tyrone
My condolences to Freddie Jr. and the rest of the family. Love peace and blessings of comfort to you all.
Our condolences to the Quartlebaum family in their time of grief. I met Fred Jr. through the Vanny golf club with Dana, Felix, and Figgy. He always had a smile on his face when we saw each other on the golf course. You will be missed my brother. SIP
My deepest condolences and prayers too you and your family Fred Jr. Actually it hard to express words during a time of loss of a dear love one especially father, mother or a child. That being said, my prayer is that God who is the God of all Comfort, who can Strengthen you, give you His Peace, and restore your Joy in Jesus Name I pray Amen. Much love too you and your family and God Bless you all.
Dear Freddie and family,
My sincere condolences on the passing of your father. May God continue to bless and keep you, shine His love upon you, as the angels dance and sing for your dad welcoming him to his heavenly abode. You did your part now God will do the rest. Be sweet, charming and blessed knowing you did your best.
Only Love,
It is with heartfelt sympathy that we send our sincere condolences to Fred Jr. and his family for the passing of our friend, Fred Sr. We will truly miss him.
We send our condolences to you, Sands.
We continuously keep you and your wonderful family in thought and prayer.
God bless you all and Rest in Power Mr.Q!!
Our sincere condolence to family and friends do to the passing of Freddie, he will be truly missed. Freddie was always so joyful and full of life. He always wore a giant smile which genuinely touched and will be remembered by all whom he came into contact with. Losing you is so sad, but you have gone home to be with dear loved ones and to enjoy your eternal rest. So rest in peace our friend.
I’m wishing you and your family comfort and peace during this difficult time.
Sending my heartfelt condolences to family. May he forever live in your hearts as you find comfort, peace and grace in the beautiful memories and moments you shared.
I’m a firm believer that when we lose someone close to us, like a father, they continue to live on through us and give us unbelievable strength. They’re so connected to us that they become a part of us. Please accept my sincere condolences. ❤️
I will miss you brother in law I love you too and from the family of green family God blessed
To my dear cousin Freddy may you rest in peace, you will be truly missed from our family functions and we will Always love ❤️ you.
My Condolences 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
A true teacher of life. May you rest in peace knowing you left a lot of great memories behind that will last forever. Til we meet again 🙏🏿
To my best friend,
Karen and I will miss you very much at all the events you would attend. Freddy, you were such a very good human being. If even 30% of human beings were like you the world would be a better place. Freddy, I thank you so much for all the conversations we had throughout our career and I appreciate all the sharing of your winnings in the pool at MTV Manhattanville depot. You didn’t have to share your winnings with me but you insisted that I take it. No other friend has ever done that with me except for you. You were a real friend not just an acquaintance. Thank you Freddy for attending all of my East Coast Golf tournaments. Hopefully we will meet on the other side and we can continue to play golf like old times.
Love always, Karen and Charles, and the East Coast Golf Club (President, Charles McBryde)
I just wanted to express my deepest sympathy to you, Freddie Jr. and family. Your Dad was a part of our family ❤️. It was always a joy to see him and spend time with him. May the God of Peace, Comfort and Strengthen you and the family. You all are in my prayers.🙏🏽
Rest in peace brother Fred.
You were always one of my favorite colleagues at Manhattanville Depot. Such a great personality and good-looking too !(not fair).
Lord knows you are missed.
Your brother, Ernest Bing
I’m still trying to wrap my head around this. Papa Q has been so influential in my life, so many great memories and conversations. I could call and just chat and. he would just listen sometimes offer some gentle advice. To say that he will be missed is an understatement. Just to say RIP is not enough. Until we meet again Sleep Well you have earned it.