Jay Phillip Freres' Obituary
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, Lola, Bob and Ron -- and seven grandchildren.
He was born in Peoria, Illinois in 1933 to Glenn and Olive Freres. Jay grew up in Peoria (with his sister Glenda O'Dowd, another local resident who passed away in 2011) with an early keen interest in geography and foreign languages, a generous and open disposition and a strong Catholic faith. These are some of the factors that marked him as a career diplomat and devoted husband and father, and made him a source of inspiration for many. Another outstanding characteristic was his sense of humor, which -although often corny- always brought a smile or chuckle to everyone who knew him.
Jay graduated from Peoria's Spaulding Institute ('51) and went on to receive a BA ('54) and MA ('56) from Bradley University, Illinois (Lambda Chi Alpha), and a BS from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service ('55). He is also a graduate of the National War College, National Defense University, Ft McNair, Washington DC ('81). He was fluent in Arabic, Persian/Dari, Hebrew, German, and Spanish, proficient in Turkish and also learned some Bengali.
After enlisting in the US Army in 1956, he was stationed in Germany with the U.S. counterintelligence corps, where he met the love of his life, Maria Kauer, a native of the former Czechoslovakia. He and "Mia" married on July 4, 1960 (and celebrated 54 anniversaries together).
That same year Jay joined the US Foreign Service, serving as a diplomat in 10 countries throughout his career -- Afghanistan, Guatemala, Lebanon, Israel, Egypt, Bangladesh, Nicaragua, India, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain -- rising to the rank of Deputy Chief of Mission and Acting Ambassador. His postings took him to many "hardship" assignments and included an evacuation of his family from Beirut during the Six Day War; participation in the negotiations after the kidnapping of U.S. ambassador Adolph Dubs in Afghanistan; a forced early departure from Kabul because of demonstrations and impending Soviet invasion; as well as serving in the Arabian Gulf during the Gulf War. Everywhere he served, Jay immersed himself in the local customs, history and culture. He was the quintessential diplomat, serving the United States Government with distinction, having received the Meritorious Honor Award several times.
After retiring in 1991, he and Mia settled in Clearwater, where his mother and sister lived. He worked on an intermittent basis for the State Department's Freedom of Information Act Office, and from 2002-2007, he had a contract at the US Central Command in Tampa, Florida as a liaison for the State Department. He also gave lectures on the Middle East and South Asia in different local venues.
Jay was very active in his parish, Saint Catherine of Sienna, and took on a leadership role in their Right to Life efforts. He was a man of deep faith, teaching his Roman Catholic faith to his children through word and example. He and Mia participated in Marriage Encounter. He also taught religious studies and served as a sponsor for new Catholics.
It is apropos that Jay died close to Father's Day, as he was a true family man. He called his children and grandchildren regularly, always lifting them up whenever they needed help. He was a devoted husband, always expressing his love for Mia - despite losing most of their daily Scrabble matches.
Jay donned his floppy cap and sturdy sneakers and took daily walks in his neighborhood, stopping to chat with anyone who happened to be outside. He never knew a stranger. He truly was a source of inspiration for everyone he met.
A funeral mass, followed by a reception will be held at Saint Catherine of Sienna (1955 South Belcher Road, Clearwater) at 10 AM on Wednesday, June 24, 2015. A graveside service will follow with military honors at Calvary Cemetery (5233 118th Avenue N. Clearwater). For further information please visit mossfeasterclearwater.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to the following:
Americans United for Life
655 15th Street, N.W., Suite 410
Washington, D.C. 20005
(202) 289-1478
Catholic Relief Services
P.O. Box 17090
Baltimore, MD 21297-0303
(877) 435-7277
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