Fred Rotondaro, a summer resident of Southport, Maine, died on June 26, 2017 at his home in Shady Side, Maryland due to a brain tumor.

Born in Pittston, Pennsylvania on June 26, 1939 to the late Rose and Angelo Rotondaro, Fred was the beloved husband of Kathleen Mullan Rotondaro; devoted father of Vinnie (Audrey Neff) Rotondaro and Cara (Justin) McDonough; proud “nonno” of Nora, Gabriel and Adriana McDonough; loving brother of Mary Thomas and fond uncle to many nieces and nephews.

After receiving his master’s degree at Creighton University, Fred was a professor at his alma mater, the University of Scranton, and earned a PhD in American Studies from New York University. Fred went on to serve as executive director of the Community Progress Council in York, Pennsylvania where he met his wife.

Moving to Washington, D.C., Fred became the communications eirector of the National Center for Urban Ethnic Affairs. He then served as the executive director of the National Italian American Foundation for 22 years.

Following his retirement, Fred was a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, chairman of Catholics In Alliance for the Common Good, treasurer of the Italian American Democratic Leadership Council and a trustee of John Cabot University in Rome.  He was a member of the Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club, the Southport Yacht Club, and the Southport Island Association and a supporter of the Boothbay Region Land Trust.  Fred was a friend and mentor to many, and was fiercely devoted to his family, who were his pride and joy and greatest source of strength