Frederick E. Dauser Jr., 71, of Tolland, beloved husband of Kate McLaughlin, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday evening, November 8, 2014, while serving communion to Juniper Hill residents, or, as he liked to call them, "his ladies." Fred was a member of and Eucharistic Minister at St. Thomas Aquinas parish in Storrs and served as Grand Knight of The Knights of Columbus, Chapter 14209. As Grand Knight, his signature activity was the UConn A Cappella competition which recently celebrated its 7th anniversary. He was born on February 01, 1943 in Grand Rapids, Michigan to Frederick and Josephine Rzemek Dauser. After graduating from Michigan Tech in Houghton, MI in 1966, he and his first wife, Diane, moved to Connecticut where he started his career as a statistician at Pratt and Whitney Aircraft. He worked his entire life at United Technologies and retired in 1999 from its affiliate, Otis Elevator. He lived in Tolland for 44 years. He loved spending time outdoors, whether it was coaching soccer, sailing, gardening or golfing. The highlight of his summer was always a week at the Saratoga Racetrack in New York. This gambling tradition started with Frederick Sr. who was a poker dealer on a boat off the coast of California during Prohibition. Fred Jr. passed this poker tradition on to his children and grandchildren, who enthusiastically embrace Friday evening family poker playing. In addition to his wife, Kate, he leaves behind his loving family, daughter Deb and husband Scot Forrest and their children Madison, Anna and Hayley; son Fred and wife Christine and their children Hannah and Ryan. He is also survived by his brother, John, and his sister, Joanne. He leaves behind his best friend and golfing partner, Lou Uliano. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Richard, and his sister, Mary Louise. Fred enjoyed many homemade pancake breakfasts with his grandchildren (aka "chocolate chip tasters"). Birthdays were not complete without his "secret recipe" chocolate cake. Calling hours will be on Wednesday from 5-7pm at St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel, North Eagleville Rd., Storrs, Ct. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, November 13 at 2:00 pm also at St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel. In lieu of flowers donations in Fred's memory may be made to St Thomas Aquinas Church, Storrs, CT or Hartford Catholic Worker, 18 Clark St. Hartford, CT 06120.