Thomas Creswell Frary Sr.

Thomas Creswell Frary, 100, died on May 28, 2015 at Legacy Memory Care at Ocean View in Falmouth, ME. He was born in Medford, Massachusetts, on October 28, 1914, to Charles Samuel Frary and Minetta Jean Creswell Frary. Tom was raised in Newton, MA, where he was active in the Boy Scouts and the Christian Science church which became his spiritual path throughout his life.

Tom attended Worcester Polytechnic Institute and was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. During college, Tom had an opportunity to visit Bermuda where he fell in love with the island and stayed, excited to work in the lab at Lili Perfume making fragrances from the fields of lilies, oleanders and frangipani. It was here that he brought his new bride, Marjorie Collins, with whom he shared 58 years.

In the early 1940's Tom and Marjorie moved to Longmeadow, MA where their two children were born. Tom enjoyed acting with the Longmeadow Players. In 1947 Tom moved his wife and two young children to Marblehead, MA, where he lived for over 50 years. Following a career in sales, mostly in publishing, Tom retired at age 58. Too young to stop working, Tom began a second career, this time in retail sales at the Irresistibles boutiques where he remained employed into his eighties. A close relationship with owners John and Karen Doub and their two children developed and lasted until the present.

Tom felt blessed by the opportunities that came to him. He owned a cottage on the island of Martha's Vineyard where his wife's family had spent summers for generations. The Vineyard was special for many reasons, but meeting well-known pianist David Crohan, was at the top of the list. Tom and David became good friends. Tom saw to it that residents at 75 State Street and more recently at OceanView were treated to one of David's wonderful concerts.

Tom's love of the ocean and islands brought him to Maine and Peaks Island in the late sixties where he invested in property being auctioned off by the Casco Bay Island Development Association. Tom's purchase came with a World War II observation tower which became known as "Tom's Tower" and eventually a weekend destination. Around this time Tom and his brother, Charles, became interested in Frary genealogy and founded the Frary Family Association with biannual meetings in historic Old Deerfield, MA, location of the ancestral home, Frary House. The organization now has an international membership. Tom was recently honored for his ongoing support and years as Treasurer of FFA.

Following the death of his wife Tom was encouraged at age 86 by his daughter and her family to join them in Portland. When Tom learned there was a condo available at Chandler's Wharf he jumped at the chance, selling his Marblehead home and buying his new home on the Wharf. The next ten years were filled with new friends, new experiences and wonderful adventures. He loved living on the water and watching the daily comings and goings of the waterfront. DiMillos became his "personal" dining room. Day trips and picnics on the Casco Bay ferry, learning Tai Chi with his friends, climbing the Cianbro oil rig, a birthday lunch on a tug boat that was escorting a tanker into the harbor, winning free ITN rides because he happened to be the lucky caller on a given day, and Portland Parks and Recreation theater events were highlights.

Tom's life was full well into his nineties. At age ninety he was privileged to give his granddaughter away at her Maine wedding and at age ninety-five to be best man at his grandson's Maine wedding. When macular degeneration took away most of his vision, Tom kept his spirits up and joined Beacon Club where he enjoyed more outings, more friends, and even an opportunity to speak to students at Portland High School about motivation and jobs. He became an inspiration to many.

Moves to 75 State Street and Falmouth House and then Legacy Memory Care at OceanView brought Tom the assistance he required in his last four years, and his family thanks everyone for their caring and support. They also thank Faith Sheehan for her love and friendship to Tom and for bringing him so much happiness during his life in Maine, and the Doub family for their love and caring over so many years.

Tom leaves a son, Thomas C. Frary, Jr. and his partner, Susan Weldon of Salem MA, a daughter, Judy Micoleau and her husband, Charles of Portland, two grandsons David Frary, and his wife Tina of Concord CA, and Tyler Micoleau and his wife, Rachel Schuder of Brooklyn NY, three granddaughters Kendra Frary of Southborough MA, Sandrine Micoleau of Sausalito CA, and Jennifer Micoleau and her husband, Kirk Fongemie of Portland; four great-granddaughters Samantha Frary, Taylor Bragg, Sarah Bragg and Priana Fongemie and one great-grandson, George Fongemie. He also leaves many nieces and nephews. Tom was predeceased by his wife, and brother, Charles Samuel Frary, Jr.

Tom was thrilled to celebrate his 100th birthday with his family last October. He was very much alive and thoroughly enjoyed all of the greetings and hugs. David Crohan's playing of "Happy Birthday" over the phone was truly the frosting on the cake.

At Tom's request there will be no funeral service. A private burial will be held in late summer at Oak Grove Cemetery on Martha's Vineyard.

Memorial donations may be sent to: The Marjorie Collins Frary Scholarship Fund Massachusetts College of Art

621 Huntington Avenue

Boston, MA 02115-5882

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