Ronald D. Frey

Ronald Frey, 92 of North Syracuse passed away peacefully in his home on July 14th, 2023. Born in Red Lion, PA, he was the son of late Daniel Frey and Mildred (McGuigan) Wilt. Ron met Mary Jane Everard in 1954; after 8 months he realized she was the love of his life. He would spend the next 69 years showering her daily with compliments and expressions of love; a level of devotion rarely seen. They developed a group of lifelong friends with whom they would connect for the next 69 years. They adopted two children, Mitchell and Jennifer, beginning a fulfilling journey toward a well-lived life. Ron was active in sports: baseball, football, golf, and wrestling. Later in life he took up skiing, enjoying his trips to Vermont and finally Vail. He graduated from Red Lion HS in 1948; in 2003 was nominated by fellow graduates and inducted into the Alumni Hall of Fame, an honor bestowed upon the schools most successful graduates. He attended Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, graduating in 1951 and worked as a carpenter prior to his enlistment. This education changed the path of his life, cementing his love of fine woodworking. His greatest passion was creating custom furniture for family, friends and businesses in his home shop (which rivaled any commercial shop). His superior skill and knowledge allowed him to testify as an expert witness in table-saw injury cases. An Army veteran, Ron spent a year on the front, in Korea at Outpost Harry; the memories would haunt him throughout his life. He would find solace in 2008 when he began speaking in high school classes, sharing a brutally honest depiction of his experiences. He earned a Combat Infantry Badge and Korean Service Ribbon with two battle stars. He was to be given the Bronze Medal of Valor for saving a fellow soldier on the battlefield, but it was never awarded. Ron was rarely seen without his Korea cap; a proud Veteran until his death. He attended Millersville University on the GI Bill, graduating in 1957 with a degree in Industrial Arts and in 2004 was honored with the Alumni Achievement Award in Carpentry. His career began as an Industrial Arts instructor and football/wrestling coach in NJ; in 1966 they moved to North Syracuse. He was the Director of Industrial and Vocational Education; responsible for planning/building new instructional areas and developing a job placement program. He then became a house principal at Cicero HS and finally, Principal at OCM BOCES for the last 16 years of his career. He was acknowledged for providing credibility and respect to occupational programs, initiating many courses, setting up the first teacher/student handbooks and was a statewide leader in promoting shop safety. Upon his retirement in 1990, Ron received the Skilled Workers Emeritus Award from NY Gov. Mario Cuomo for his efforts in promoting skilled labor. He was instrumental in the construction of the FM District Office in 1991 and he volunteered with Habitat for Humanity from which he received the Golden Hammer Award in 2002. He and Mary Jane traveled the world with friends, striving to learn through experience and formal programs at Elder Hostels. Ron volunteered at St Joseph’s Hospital Orthopedic floor; he was the subject of a video prepared by the hospital; a plaque of him resides on the wall reflecting the successes he achieved after ortho surgery. He was an active member of Northminster Presbyterian Church for over 50 years: Teacher, Elder, Trustee and Preacher; the members became family. A friend once said, “Ron never met a stranger”; he had genuine interest in everyone whose path he crossed. Ron would stop in a restaurant, grocery store or anywhere to acknowledge a child, or family enjoying a night out. When he met someone, he listened intently, asked about their heritage, interests, goals, he cared deeply about all people. Ron was always happy and this showed in his infectious smile. Ron influenced and positively impacted the lives of many people, from students, to colleagues, to his children and grandchildren. His family was the highlight of his life. He beamed with joy when his children and grandchildren arrived for a visit. He never missed a child’s sporting event, concert or celebration. Annual vacations with dear friends started with his young family and continued until his grandchildren grew up. He reflected on these weeklong trips as “the times of his life” stating, “it doesn’t get any better than this”. Ron loved Jazz, playing bridge with friends, caring for his yard, reading any book, history and was an avid SU fan and golfer into his 80s. When we mention his name, the response is always a smile, an, “Oh, I Love Ron”, a “Ron was a huge influence in my life”. He was a man loved and respected by all who knew him, known for his kindness, he will be sorely missed. Surviving are his wife of 69 years, the former Mary Jane Everard; his children, Jennifer (Steve) Tingley and Mitchell (Mary) Frey and four grandchildren, Spencer and Joshua Tingley and Nick and Sarah Frey. Calling hours are at Fergerson Funeral Home, 215 South Main Street, North Syracuse on Monday, July 24th from 2 to 4 PM. Funeral services, with military honors bestowed, are immediately following. Private burial will be in Riverview Cemetery, Huntingdon, PA. Donations may be made, in lieu of flowers, to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, give.michaeljfox.org, POB 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014.

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Ronald D. Frey

July 14, 2023