Obituary of Fred Tenorio
Fred Tenorio was born on September 19, 1938, in Chicago, Illinois. He was one of twelve children born from the union of Fred Tenorio and Maria Theresa (Perez) Tenorio, and many of his siblings considered him to be the patriarch of their family. After graduating high school and serving his country, he attended the University of Detroit where he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Accounting.
Fred proudly served as a member of the U.S. Army’s esteemed 82nd Airborne. He exhibited his courage and skill by completing an impressive thirty-nine jumps, earning him status as an elite jumper. His time in the Army also ignited a deep passion for travel. Fred ventured to various corners of the world, exploring countless destinations.
Fred was an integral part of his community, serving as the treasurer and board member for the YMCA. He was dedicated to this role and committed to supporting the organization's mission and to ensure its financial stability. Additionally, Fred contributed to the local business community by serving as a board member for the Monroe Chamber of Commerce. He was committed to supporting local businesses and fostering economic growth in Monroe County.
A dedicated father and a man of many passions, Fred created a legacy filled with love, adventure, and determination. Above anything, his children were the shining stars of his life, and he poured his heart into being the best father he could be. From coaching their sports teams to cheering them on as their number one fan, Fred's unwavering support and involvement was truly remarkable. He was devoted to his children and intentionally developed traditions they could always share, be it the annual Christmas Tree outing to a local tree farm, family Christmas gatherings and attending the Indy 500 every year. These traditions have carried on for decades and now involve the third generation of his family.
Fred’s involvement in his children’s sports led to him becoming an official for the Michigan High School Athletic Association. With a particular passion for high school football, he devoted his time and expertise, ensuring fair play and promoting a positive sporting environment for student-athletes. In this role time and time again, he showcased his love and commitment to the development of young athletes.
Aside from his family, Fred considered his accounting and tax preparation business to be his most significant accomplishment, building it from the ground up and establishing two offices in Michigan and one in Florida. Coming from a modest background and proud to be one the first in his family to receive a college education, he valued hard work and took great pride in his achievements. A humble man, he was dedicated to the clients he served and appreciated their loyalty. Retirement was a concept foreign to Fred, as he cherished the balance he found between work and life, even in the face of declining health. An example to many, Fred possessed a unique blend of determination, stubbornness, and compassion. These qualities have been passed to his children, who carry his spirit forward.
His passion for auto racing was remarkable, in fact, he was acknowledged annually as a Fan VIP by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, in honor of his sixty-one years attending the Indy 500. Like a true love story, Fred’s life was forever altered forty years ago, when his path crossed that of his dear wife, Rena. While volunteering at the Detroit Grand Prix, he noticed her extraordinary composure and style as she spoke to a large group of volunteers. Intrigued by her poise, Fred sought her out, and their friendship blossomed into a beautiful relationship. Sharing a passion for motorsports, they each served in leadership roles of the Detroit Grand Prix Association and collaborated on several other racing projects. Together, they embarked on countless adventures, collectively traveling nearly 3,000,000 miles on Delta Airlines. From their first memorable trip to Germany, which held special significance for Rena, as the daughter of a Holocaust survivor, to their exciting weekend getaways to Europe and beyond, Fred and Rena embraced every opportunity to explore the world together. Fred was known for his simple and adventurous approach to life, often only carrying a backpack, and never checking any luggage. Although, it should be noted that on most occasions, he returned with even fewer items than he had left with.
Fred Tenorio, age 85, of Franklin, Michigan, passed away surrounded by loved ones at Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital while under the care of hospice on Saturday; September 30, 2023. His passing was preceded by his parents and several siblings.
To cherish his memory, he leaves a beloved wife: Rena Shanaman-Tenorio; four children: Christina (Brad) Koch, Frederick (Stacy) Tenorio, Anthony (Stephanie) Tenorio, and Rebecca (Eric) Christensen; four sisters: Nancy Tenorio, Sandra Tenorio, Sue "Carol" Tenorio, and Marie Tenorio; two brothers: David "Corky" Tenorio and Rick Tenorio; eleven grandchildren: Brittney (Noah) Burrell, Ryan Koch, Joshua Koch, Josiah Koch, Elizabeth Ferguson, Alyssa Coakley, Jack Tenorio, Quinn Tenorio, Jake Christensen, Gabe Christensen, and Reed Christensen; and one great grandchild: Brady Waack.
Friends may gather from 4:00pm until 8:00pm on Tuesday; October 3, 2023, at Merkle Funeral Service, North Monroe; 2442 North Monroe Street, Monroe, Michigan 48162 (734) 384-5185. A Celebration of His Life will take place at Merkle’s on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, at 11:00am. A private burial will follow.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation. Online guests may visit www.merklefs.com to leave words of inspiration and comfort or to share a photo.