John T. Frey

John T Frey, 84, of Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, passed away on August 5th. He was born on January 26th, 1939, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, son of Severin and Marian Frey. He was the first on both sides of his family to attend college. He earned his bachelor's degree from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and his PhD in just 4 years from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa.
John began his career as a chemistry professor at Black Hawk College in Moline, Illinois. Upon receiving an administrative fellowship, he later moved into the role of Academic Dean at Worthington Community College in Worthington, Minnesota and later the Dean of Applied Sciences at Brookdale Community College in Lincroft, New Jersey. John took a short break from his roles in education and purchased 30 acres in Delavan, Wisconsin to establish Frey's Berry Patch and Vegetable Garden with his son Mark. He returned to teaching chemistry at a number of institutions in the University of Wisconsin system before retiring in 1999 from UW-West Bend. John and his wife Joyce moved to Fort Garland, Colorado to a home they loved with a beautiful view of Mount Blanca. In 2017, they returned home to Wisconsin to live out their final days near family and friends.
John was a natural born teacher inside and outside the classroom which was in part due to being a master storyteller. He loved playing all kinds of games from horseshoe to dominos and was an avid card player. No gathering of friends or family was complete without a few hands of Sheepshead, Pinochle, or Poker. He and Joyce were devoted Catholics. They spent many years as volunteers teaching English to novice priests from Spanish-speaking countries. They fully enjoyed their retirement traveling internationally to China, Italy, and Germany, but even more so they adored traveling our own country in their RV. They'd visit family and friends while also exploring new places which included 3 trips to Alaska. John loved planning their routes and creating detailed itineraries. He found peace and joy in the simple things in life like baking homemade bread, fishing, watching the Packers, or just in having a good cup of tea or bottle of dark beer.
He is survived by his loving wife of nearly 33 years, Joyce Barbiere-Frey of Elkhart Lake, three stepdaughters Lisa (Robert) Rice, Anne (Scott) Gardner, and Michelle Barbiere, one son Mark (Janet) Frey, two daughters Robin (Lane) Last and Lisa (Anthony) Fangman, four grandchildren Jennifer Frey, Jacob (Brianna) Last, Kiran Last, and Christopher Fangman, two great grandchildren Jamie and Vincent Last, one sister Barbara Torcivia, and two brothers James (Margo) Frey and Thomas Frey. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his son John Del, and first wife Judith Frey.
Following John's wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial service is being planned for a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to La Puente Home, a homeless shelter near and dear to their hearts, at PO Box 1235, Alamosa, CO 81101.
To send flowers to the family
in memory of John, please visit our floral store.