Ernest John Fry

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Johnny Fry, 54, of Westerleigh, a heavy equipment oiler mechanic who will be remembered for his devotion to family and for his sense of humor, died Friday in Richmond University Medical Center, West Brighton.

Mr. Fry was a lifelong Westerleigh resident.

He graduated from McKee High School.

Mr. Fry worked as a heavy equipment oiler mechanic for the city of New York. He first worked at the Sanitation Department and retired from the Corrections Department in 2011.

An outgoing and personable man, Mr. Fry loved fixing things. A handyman at heart, he enjoyed helping others. There was nothing he couldn't repair, said his family.

Also a great conversationalist, anyone he spoke to instantly fell in love with him, they added.

In addition to repairing and fixing things around the house, Mr. Frey loved spending time with his wife and children. He was a doting grandfather to his grandson, said his family.

He is survived by his wife of 17 years, the former Diane Garber, his son Jimmy; his two daughters, Mary and Annemarie Fry; his father Ernest; four sisters, Linda Burke, Karen Fry, Cathy Crews and Rosemary Ahearn and one grandson.

The funeral will be Monday from the Casey Funeral Home, Castleton Corners, with a mass at 10 a.m. in Blessed Sacrament R.C. Church, West Brighton. Arrangements include cremation.