Joseph P. Frese

December 22, 2021

The Amherst community lost a great advocate and staunch supporter, and a family lost a great husband, father and grandfather, when on Dec. 18, 2021, Joe Frese passed away after a brief illness.

Joe was a man of great passion: Passion for his community, work, volunteerism and family. Within Joe’s exterior hid a heart 10 times the size of him. He shared this heart with anyone, whether through a conversation, an outright full fledge construction project, or reassuring guidance.

Born March 4, 1954 to Italo and Armenia (Forte) Frese, Joe spent his early years in Ravena, N.Y., in the Albany area. A staunch Italian, Joe’s years as a youth were spent in the family bread business, while also learning the art of sauce making, which he excelled at, from his mother.

While attending college at Genesee Community College, Joe met the former Evelyn Tulumello and the pair married in 1975. Two children, which were Joe’s world, completed the Frese household, Jason (Tiffany) and Amanda (Rick) Salisbury. Nothing fulfilled Joe more in life than to spend a day, an hour, or even a moment with his children, even as adults. Adding to his joy were the absolute loves of his life, his three granddaughters, Liliana and Angelina Salisbury, and Presley Frese. Nowhere could there be found a more proud family man and it was that role in life of which he felt most fortunate.

Joe relocated to the Amherst area in 1979. He spent many years as a building supply representative traveling the northeast sharing his extensive knowledge, especially of windows and doors, before joining the ranks of Building Code Enforcement officer for the Town of Amherst in 2005. He coached and was on the board of directors for Mathewson McCarthy from 1983-1990. Joe served on many boards including the Zoning Board and Traffic & Safety Board, and was Vice President of the Niagara Frontier Building Officials Association. In addition to those roles, Joe extended his service to the town in the position of an Amherst Police Dispatcher. Amherst Town Supervisor Brian Kulpa said “Joe was a wonderful friend and mentor to many of us in public service. He led by example, always balancing duty with patience and empathy. The entire town of Amherst will miss him.” The Amherst Police released a statement staying “He was a beloved and valued member of the Amherst Police Department as a Public Safety Dispatcher.”

Community service was a big part of the man that Joe was. It was in Ravena that Joe began his service, joining the ranks of the Ravena Fire Department alongside his brother, Sonny. The seed to serve was planted, and once in Amherst, Joe began a lengthy volunteer fire service career. A 38-year member of the Williamsville Fire Department, Joe was currently serving as the department’s President. Joe additionally served as Vice President, Captain, Lieutenant, Director, member of the Fire Police, and on many committees and additional organizations within the department. Chief Rich Maddigan stated “Joe was a great asset to our company. He loved the camaraderie with his fellow firefighters. He was a great leader and served the department well.”

A committed community supporter, Joe served as a trustee on the Williamsville Village Board, as well as having held the position of Deputy Mayor of the village.

A passionate and personable character, once you met Joe, you could only love him. He was strong with an opinion and though you may not have agreed with him, you always walked away remembering the bout you just had in the ring with him. Start a conversation about boxers the breed however, and you’d melt the stalwart man.

In addition to his wife, children and grandchildren, Joe is survived by his sister Cora (Richard) Williams, many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and his beloved boxer, Ellie. Joe was predeceased by his brother Sylvester (Sonny) B. (Shirley), and his parents.