William Frey

William G. Frey, 89, passed away at his home in Union, NJ on Thursday, May 16, 2024, with his loving family by his side. Born in Yonkers, NY in 1934, Bill was the devoted son of Thomas Frey and Berta (Fischer) Frey. He was raised in Brooklyn and Newark, NJ before moving to Union.

Bill was married in 1961 to the love of his life, Patricia Morahan. They resided in Irvington before moving to their home in Union where they would raise their four children.

Bill was a technically minded person and an accomplished engineer. Bill attended Brooklyn Technical High School for 3 years and graduated from Central High School in Newark. He attended Newark College of Engineering (NJIT). Bill was a licensed Professional Engineer and started his career at Dollins Die Casting and Remco, a toy company. Bill spent the majority of his career at Thomas & Betts, a manufacturer of electrical components. He developed new electronic components. His work was recognized with at least a half-dozen US patents filed under his name. Other US patents list Bill as a contributor.

Bill enjoyed life to its fullest and shared stories of his life experiences with friends and family.

While growing up in Brooklyn, Bill enjoyed watching the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbetts Field. He told stories about how he and his friends would watch Jackie Robinson, PeeWee Reese and Duke Snider play ball.

Bill spent several summers of his teen years at Lake George in Upstate New York working at a dude ranch where he was a waiter and a cowboy. Years later, he took his family back to the same dude ranch. On these trips, he enjoyed catching up with old friends he worked with during those summers.

Bill was a veteran, serving in the US Army and US Army Reserves from 1956 to 1962. He was an aircraft and helicopter engine mechanic, stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma and Fort Novosel, Alabama. He was very proud of serving his country and told stories of his days in the army throughout his life.

Bill loved spending time at the Jersey Shore. He reminisced about how he and his wife Patricia met at D’Jais in Belmar. While at the Shore, he enjoyed boating, fishing and hosting large family gatherings regularly at his beach house.

He was a dedicated family man and always kept himself busy. He could often be found working around his house, his yard and his cars. When he was finished, he found time to help other people around their homes. Bill enjoyed supporting Union Little League baseball – he was coach of the Dodgers. Bill was also involved supporting the Union Rams Pop Warner football program.

In his spare time, Bill enjoyed woodworking. He would build pieces of furniture, toys or decorative items. Many of these items he gave away to family and friends. Most people who know him have at least one or two of his creations around their homes – and some have many more. All of his creations will be cherished for a long time to come, and these items will keep him in our hearts and memories.

Later in life, Bill’s greatest joy was his grandchildren. He loved them deeply and they were a source of immense pride for him. He told anyone who would listen about the things his grandchildren were doing and the dreams he had for them.

He was proud to be an original, founding parishioner of Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Church in Union since 1963.

Bill was predeceased by his parents and his brothers Thomas and Richard (Dick).

Surviving is his beloved wife of more than 62 years, Patricia and his children Bill (Karen), Richard (Jeanne Wessel), Joe and Patti. Bill is the cherished grandfather of Kaitlyn (partner Aaron), Billy (partner Sarah), Alexander (Nidhi), Jonathan (fiancé Bonita) and Eliza (partner Jolie). He is also survived by his sisters Barbara Quast, Ruth Fread and Joan Molnar and many nieces and nephews.

Friends may visit the family at McCracken Funeral Home, 1500 Morris Avenue, Union on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, from 4pm - 8pm. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at 10:30am at Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Church, Union, NJ. Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in East Hanover

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in his name to Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Church, Union NJ or the Alzheimer's Association.