Who is Fred Sarkis?

Fred was born in the depression years of 1926 in Rochester, NY, the second oldest of nine children. From the age of eight to fourteen, he worked 100 hours a week on his father's fruit and vegetable truck. On winter Saturday's his day began at 5 AM and ended at 11 PM. He perceived himself to be the Prisoner of the Truck. At age 12, three five-minute conversations with his father changed his attitude from negative to positive. These lessons were the seeds that led to Fred's achievements both in school and in business. These lessons are recorded in the free "Yes Pa" book, available on the YesPa website.

Fred began his business career in 1950 at age 24 when he secured a Kwik Kafe franchise that used a vending machine that served a fresh cup of coffee – one at a time – for 5 cents a cup. With a constant dedication to quality of product and service, as well as honesty in sales reports, his company became Rochester’s leader in coffee vending. For six consecutive years, he won the top national honor for being the best Kwik Kafe Dealer in the nation. Among the major clients were Kodak and Xerox.

His reputation for good service, led to a full line of vending machines as well as major cafeteria and food service operations to business, schools, colleges and assistant living facilities. Ten years later, at age 34, he merged with a national company, becoming a multi-millionaire. In 1962, community leaders asked Fred to consider a major donation for a hospital wing or university building with his name on it.

Instead, Fred chose to fund recreational skiing closer to Rochester. He crossed paths with two brilliant engineers who shared his dream. Bristol Mountain became a reality in 1964. Aware of the importance of recreation while he served in the US Navy, Fred devoted his capital to Bristol Mountain Ski Area and the start of Bristol Harbour Village. In 1976 he was honored with a resolution from the Bristol Harbour Village Boards and dedication of the flower butterfly that is seen every summer as you enter Cliffside Drive. In 1990 He was again honored by a plaque that was placed on the rock that is in the same area as the flower butterfly.

Today, he treats both the Mountain and the Village as if they were kids who grew up and are on their own. He is proud of their ongoing success in terms of job creation and the positive impact on the economy and recreational lifestyle of skiing and golf for residents and beyond.

Based on his 50 years of community service, in 2003, the Canandaigua Chamber of Commerce named him Mr. Canandaigua. His continuing mission has earned him the 2007 Toastmasters' International Award. He now has ongoing partnerships with Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Regional and National Character Education Institutes and Schools and is now a key advisor to Nazareth College in their 2008 plans for an Institute of Ethics at which he will be the keynote speaker.

You can contact Fred:

By mail

Fred W. Sarkis
28 Cliffside Drive
Canandaigua, New York 14424

By phone: 585-396-2046

By email: Fred275@aol.com