John Fray Obituary

Professor John Fray (Emeritus), 64, formerly of UMASS Medical School Department of Physiology died suddenly on Friday, August 3, in Jamaica.

He is survived by wife Dr. Jean King Fray; children, Joni, Jomo and Jasai; grandson Elan; mother Enid; sisters, Greta, Dorel, Lovena and Grace; brothers, Gousley, Anthony, Alton, Ewen, Philip, Dane (Carol); also several nieces and nephews.

Born in Jamaica, Dr. Fray moved to New York City, where he graduated with honors (Cum Laude) from Howard University in 1970 as a Porter Development Fellow of the American Physiological Society. He later entered the MIT-Harvard Medical School Health Scientist Training Program and earned his PhD in Physiology from Harvard in 1975. He joined the department of Physiology at UMASS Medical School as an Assistant Professor in 1978 after being recruited from the University of California at San Francisco and in 1980 was honored with the UMMS Teacher of the Year Award.

On his retirement in 2003 from UMASS Medical School, Professor Fray continued his contribution by promoting education and creating opportunities for minority students in the sciences. In 1994, Professor Fray founded the Thoth Program for Science Education Training in Jamaica, with the central goal of making science a specific output of the country's public school system. Through these activities he later became a key advisor to the Jamaican Government, specifically the Ministry of Commerce, Science and Technology where he served as liaison and policy advisor, responsible for the development and promotion of science education and biotechnology in the country.

He served on numerous boards in Worcester, including the Board of the Hyatt Center at Clark University, Board of Trustees at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Board of Directors of the Worcester Art Museum, and the Goddard School of Science and Technology.

The funeral service will be held at 10 a.m Friday August 17th at the University Chapel, Kingston 7, Jamaica.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Worcester Telegram & Gazette on Aug. 12, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for John Fray

9 Entries

Shirley Russo

August 24, 2007

I met John in New York City when he invited me to join his lab. My Ph.D. mentor had suddenly become ill and could no longer work with students. John offered me a place when I had none. For the next 20 years John was my support in uncertain times; my champion in success as I launched my career in research and in higher education administration; my advocate at Hunter College and U. Mass. Medical School and ultimately my colleague and friend. I will never forget the gentle, constant influence he's been in my life and career. I will miss him.

JoAnn

August 14, 2007

Dear Jean, JoMo, Joni and Family,

My prayers and thoughts are with you at this most difficult time. John was a wonderful man. I will always remember his visits to my classroom. He was so supportive and appreciative of our work. He is a great loss to each of you. May he rest in God's peace and may each of you find peace. With Love and Blessings....JoAnn

Stephen Weininger

August 14, 2007

John was a delightful neighbor and friend on Chiltern Hill Drive, a stimulating and committed trustee and colleague at WPI. We always felt fortunate to be warmed by his personality and illuminated by his intellect. Our deepest condolences go to his entire family for this enormous loss.

Steve & Jennifer Weininger

Debi Tyler

August 14, 2007

Jasai, Dr. King, and Family,
It is with great sorrow that I write to you today. I, along with the staff of Hartwell Learning Center, extend our deepest condolences to you and your family. It was a great joy for me to teach your son Jasai and it is truly obvious that the gentle, loving young man he has become stems directly from both you and Dr. Fray. May God grant you peace through this difficult time.

Leslie Sharkey

August 13, 2007

John was (and for me will continue to be!) an inspirational person. His energy, sense of humor, and enthusiasm for his work and for life in general influenced those around him for the better. He will be missed and remembered.

Bruce Umminger

August 13, 2007

John was my esteemed colleague and friend at the National Science Foundation where he served as my Deputy Director of Integrative Biology and Neuroscience for two years. He is remembered for his seminal scientific and educational accomplishments, his warm and caring heart, and his concern for educating the next generation in his homeland. Words fail at times like these. Suffice it to say that my thoughts and prayers go out to his lovely family. John was a great man!

Lori Bourke

August 13, 2007

Jasai,Dr. King, and Family,
May god bless you in your time of sorrow. My thoughts are with you.
Love, Lori Bourke

Daphne Marshall

August 13, 2007

Dr. Fray was not only a mentor to me (and many others) at the National Science Foundation, he was also a very dear and beloved friend. I am eternally grateful for all of the knowledge and wisdom he shared with me over the years. He will never be forgotten, as his memory and legacy will live on.

My thoughts are with you as I pray for God's comfort and blessings upon his family, and the many friends who are dealing with this tremendous loss.

Daphne A. Marshall

Cheryl Barry

August 13, 2007

John will truly be missed I will always remember his great smile and his positive outlook on life. He was endeavoring to do such a great work in Jamaica it is such a great loss to his family, friends & Jamaica. I will be praying for the family for strength for the days ahead.

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