Manfried F Florian, Jr.

Manfried F. Florian Jr., 52, of Pickens, SC, passed away Thursday, June 9, 2016, following a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Born in Fort Plain, NY, on August 16, 1963, Manfried “Fritz” was the son of the late Nancy Malinchak and Manfried Florian Sr.. Fritz resided in Fort Plain for most of his younger years where he worked on his family’s dairy farm. After Fritz graduated from Fort Plain High School in 1981, he began working at Rickard Baker Oil. A few years later, Fritz completed the Police Academy and began working for the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department as well as the Fort Plain Police Department. He then transferred to the Little Falls Police Department two years later.
On April 21, 1990, Fritz married his wife, Michele Estey, and was later blessed with two beautiful children. Fritz began working at the Oneida Indian Nation Police Department in 1993, where he put in more than 20 years of hard work and dedication. Above all, he was an entrepreneur, taking pride in his businesses: Computer Doctors, Florian’s Sports Shop and Alternative Heating Solutions.
Fritz was known for his work ethic and sense of humor. Fritz always put his family first and was willing to lend a helping hand or offer advice. He was an avid hunter, outdoorsman, and member of the National Rifle Association. He also enjoyed model aviation, gardening, watching and attending NASCAR races, and taking rides on his Can-Am Spyder with Michele. He was also a member of the Saluda Hill Baptist Church in Cleveland, SC.
Fritz is survived by his wife, Michele, of Pickens, SC., his children Travis Florian, of Buffalo, NY, and Katelyn Florian of Pickens, SC., his siblings Deanna Belden, August (Billy Joe), Mark (Julie), Kevin (Jackie), and Rob Florian, all of Fort Plain, NY. He is also survived by his father and mother-in-law, Francis and Marie Estey, and his sister-in-law Melissa Dawley and her fiancée Donn Dingman, all of Little Falls, NY. He is also survived by several nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends.
A memorial service will be held in Fritz’s honor on Saturday, June 18, 2016, at 10am, at the home of Deanna Belden, 445 Pickle Hill Road in Fort Plain, NY. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that all donations be made to the American Cancer Society.