Raymond G. Fryer

1932 - 2017

Raymond G. Fryer, 84, died Feb. 23, 2017 of complications due to Alzheimers. Born in Geneva, NY, Ray graduated from Geneva High School, St. Lawrence University, and the University of Buffalo with a Masters in mathematics. He married Janice Jill Keefe June 9, 1956 and worked briefly at GTE Sylvania in Buffalo before serving in the US Army for two years as an instructor at Fort Gordon, GA and was honorably discharged as a 1st LT. He resumed his career at GTE, relocating his family in 1969 to Sudbury, and took early retirement 35 years later. Ray was at the forefront of the digital age working in the computer lab for Sylvania. He wrote numerous technical papers and received patent awards for his coding work as a digital switching expert, retiring as a Senior Engineering Manager in the software dept. Ray enjoyed a lifelong love of sports, participating in basketball, baseball, football, & track at Geneva HS; basketball & baseball for SLU and at Fort Gordon. Rays high school basketball team was inducted into the Geneva Sports Hall of Fame in 1996, and Ray himself was inducted in 2001 as one of the schools most versatile all-around athletes, earning 10 varsity letters. Ray turned down an offer to play professional baseball, choosing college instead. At SLU, he broke the schools single game scoring record for basketball. Later, Ray played senior softball locally and enjoyed golf in his retirement. Family was important to Ray. He willingly suffered cross-country camping trips (through the desert, windows open) with a car full of complaining children, visiting many of our national parks. Trips to the family cottage on Seneca Lake in NY, bought by his parents in 1945, have become an annual family get-together. Buying a lake cabin in NH and a house in FL drew even more visits from his children and their families. Through the years, Ray perfected his woodworking skills making many pieces for his family to treasure. He remodeled kitchens & baths, built porches, sheds & a tree house, finished basements, and was always ready to begin a new project. Ray and Jill were avid square dancers for 30+ years and have been members of MCC since 1970, where he served as a deacon. Ray was active with the Retired Mens Assoc. & the Sudbury Food Pantry. Many winters were spent in Florida playing golf. Attending childrens and grandchildrens numerous sporting events and concerts kept him busy at home. Ray and Jill indulged their love of travel with cruises and treated their children & families to Caribbean cruises until illness curtailed those activities. Missing his wisdom, wit, and winning smile, Ray leaves behind his wife of 60 years, Jill and 6 children: Jeffrey and Patricia Fryer of Portland, OR, Carol and Robert Turner of Marlboro, Janice and Charles Auger of Kennebunk, ME, Kristine and Keith Stone of Stafford, VA, Jeremy and Maria Fryer of Fredericksburg, VA, Raymond and Julie Fryer of Hopkinton and sixteen grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Dennis and Mildred Fryer of Penn Yan, NY and sister-in-law Julia Fryer of Tavares, FL. He was predeceased by his brother Bryan. His funeral will be held at Memorial Congregational Church, 26 Concord Rd, Sudbury on Tuesday, March 7th, 11am, Visiting hour at 10am. Burial following at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Sudbury Valley Trustees or the Cure Alzheimers Fund. For additional information, tribute, and guest book, please visit www.duckett-waterman.com.