Frederick "Fred" Joseph Poplaski

Frederick “Fred” Joseph Poplaski

March 19, 1945 – January 28, 2022

May he rest in eternal peace

Fred Poplaski passed away suddenly at home on Friday, January 28, 2022, while waging a courageous battle against cancer and heart disease.

Born in Queens, New York, Fred was preceded in death by his mother, Irene Poplaski, his father Theodore Poplaski and his stepfather Joseph Langvorn. He graduated from Walt Whitman High School, Huntington, Long Island in 1962. Fred then served in the United States Army as a Military Policeman. He spent a year of duty in Vietnam and returned to New York at the end of his enlistment commitment.

In New York Fred worked as an assistant Buyer in Housewares at Macy’s and became a buyer for a Family Furniture Store in New Jersey. In Tampa, Fred worked for and retired from Perry Ellis in their Waters Avenue Distribution Center.

He met Robert Antonelli, his loving partner, when they were both in their twenties. They remained together for over 54 years in Manhattan, Queens, and lastly in the Tampa Bay area. They share fur babies Charlie, Felix, and Riley.

Fred had a huge personality. He always had a joke or a story to tell, made friends easily and will be particularly missed by his many associates and friends at the Oldsmar and Webster Flea Markets where he pursued his hobby as a vendor of vintage items. He loved animals.

To honor Fred’s military service, he will be laid to rest with honors at Bay Pines National Cemetery in St. Petersburg. The service will be Wednesday, February 23rd at 1:00 PM. Family, friends, neighbors, and associates are cordially invited to attend the service and inurnment. In Lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Tampa Bay-www.humanesocietytampa.org.

Robert deeply appreciates the outpouring of support and condolences he has received from the community and would like to thank the Tampa Bay Medical community and first responders for their outstanding efforts.

Please continue to keep Robert in your thoughts and prayers during this time of mourning.

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