Frederick “Chiefy” Gamer, of Brookline died surrounded by his loving family on January 28, 2023. He was 91 years old.
Born in Boston, the son of Morris & Jessie (Sontag) Gamer, Fred learned his craft by defying child labor laws and hawking flowers with his father to the city’s subway riders starting at eight years old. He had effortless wit, receiving high marks from English High School while spending most of his time cracking wise with his teachers and classmates. After entertaining, but ultimately declining an invitation to the inaugural class of Brandeis University, Fred followed the rose petals and began his entrepreneurial career.
He married Helaine Shalek in 1953, starting their life and family in Newton and moving to their family home in Brookline shortly thereafter. Together they had six daughters, whom he lovingly referred to as his “Gorgeous Gamer Girls.” Fred loved nothing more than cheering on his 16 grandchildren and celebrating their accomplishments, relishing his role as the loudest voice in the crowd. His cheers reverberated around arenas and auditoriums, leaving no doubt for the members of his tribe of who had the proudest grandfather in town.
Fred’s entrepreneurial journey began and ended with flowers, but included multiple detours along the way, with candy shops, pet stores, roller skating rinks and delivery services all making an appearance before Fred narrowed his focus to his Warehouse Flowers stores throughout eastern Massachusetts. Those who were lucky enough to work for Fred could only try to model their work-ethic after him and emulate the type of generous and loving boss he was. On the rare occasions Fred gave himself a break, you could find him with a deck of cards, either dealing a hand of casino or gin, or chatting up the dealer at the nearest Pai-Gow Poker table.
He joins Helaine, his daughter Linda Gamer Mintz, and his grandson Alan Mackay in a more peaceful place. He is survived by his sister, Frankie Gamer and was the cherished brother of the late Eddie Gamer. He leaves behind his five daughters and sons-in-law: Jayne and Jay Morgenstern, Nancy and Mark Yorra, Debra and Hillel Goldberg, Laura and Ross Mackay, and Susan and Jerry Larar, his grandchildren: Cara, Lana, Maya and Scott, Jake, Jessica and Stephen, Katey and Tom, Mikey, Liza and Jordan, Bryan and Shannon, Kasey and Corey, Jenna, Brendan, Stephanie, Lauren, and David, and his great-grandchildren: Mackenzie, Jackson, Beckett, Malcolm, Charlie, Colin, Helaine, Cameron, Sophia, and Kora, with two more on the way. He is also survived by his loving partner of 12 years, Sylvia Rudolph.
A funeral service will be held on Thursday, February 2 at 11:30 AM at Temple Kehillath Israel, 384 Harvard St., Brookline with burial to follow at Adath Jeshurun Cemetery in West Roxbury. Friends and family are invited to Fred’s family home following internment until 7:00pm. Donations in Fred’s memory may be made to Sarcoma Strong, c/o Matthew DiCaprio, 1367 Washington Ave., Suite 200, Albany, NY 12206. For online guestbook and cemetery directions please visit the funeral home website, www.torffuneralservice.com.