Birth date: Nov 6, 1933 Death date: Jun 19, 2015
Jay Phillip Freres, 81, was struck by lightning outside his home in Clearwater, Florida on Friday, June 19, 2015. He is survived by his wife, Maria, his four children -- Phillip, Chris, Monica and Anita and their spouses, Katie, L Read Obituary
Dad,
I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to walk by your side during the Eucharistic Procession that was part of the celebration of the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ on June 7, 2015. I remember your kind and loving embrace of peace and the look in your eyes as you reached over to hold my hand during mass. You gave me so many wonderful gifts during my lifetime, but that gift of time with you was even more profound because I now know that it was a parting gift to me. To strengthen my faith in the Divine and healing power of Jesus' Love for us. I am so grateful Dad. I look forward to the moment I see you again in heaven in the presence of the Almighty.
Love Always,
Phillip
Dear Freres Family, I am sad to have to write to you at this time, but I also feel blessed to have had a chance to know Jay. It was many years ago when our families first served together overseas, but we became friends – and saw each other in between overseas postings. We kids were always thrilled when we knew your family would be coming over, since we knew there would be jokes and lots of laughs, no matter what games we played or other activities we enjoyed. Jay always loved to tell jokes. I can still remember his rendition of “3 ways to get peanut butter off the roof of your mouth,” which made me laugh until I cried. Jay loved to play practical jokes on us too – like calling on the phone and pretending he was “a foreign gentleman,” with some unpronounceable name. He was so good at talking with a foreign accent that it fooled us completely. Once the pretense was maintained until he actually arrived, wearing a funny little hat on his head – but then the game was up, as he had not disguised himself any further than that.
The Jay Freres I knew was a very funny and personable individual. He was a kind person as well, always taking a minute to talk to each one of us.
My family and I mourn his death and cherish and remember our times with him, and with your entire family.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
With sincere sympathy,
Karen Flaten
Semper Fidelis to a great man who served his nation and loved his friends and family. From all the marines who served with Jay, we salute you!!!
Colonel JJ Maxwell, retired.
Mahopac, NY
Phoebe and I send our condolences to Maria and the whole Freres family. We got to know Jay fairly well during his time in Ankara as our respective jobs brought us together. He was extremely well versed on Turkish affairs and was always straightforward and helpful. It is people like Jay that make our Foreign Service such an effective force for good in the world.
Bill and Phoebe Tobin
Ellicott City MD
Our sincere sympathy to the Freres Family. We enjoyed many friendly howdydos with Jay on the neighborhood walking about trail. We will surely miss the brief visits there with Jay. With Our Love, Mary & George, Seagull Dr
I offer my sincere condolences to the entire Freres family. My father, Joe Bob, met Jay in Monterey, CA while they were both in the Army. My father was an only child and referred to Jay as the "brother he never had". Therefore, he was like my "Uncle Jay", his wife is like my " Aunt Maria", and their now grown children with families of their own are like my "cousins". I'm sure my two brothers, Mike and Rob, and sister, Anne White, who shared a previous memory also feel the same way.
The prayers of the people of St. Patrick's in Rockville, Maryland are with you!
I met Jay as he was my sponsor when I went through RCIA at St. Catherine's in 1993-94. We met every Wednesday evening for 6 months and he was very supportive during the whole process. We stayed friends and I saw him and Maria at many church functions during the ensuing years. He was a wonderful man and will be missed by many. Jim Dusil.
Please accept our heartfelt condolences. I and Jay worked in Afghanistan in 1960 and then in 1980-81. A great human being and very dear friend. We pray for his soul.
Harbans and Motia Sahni now live in Charlott, NC [email protected]
