Thomas R. Frey ’59

Tom died Feb. 11, 2017, in Rochester, N.Y. He had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer the previous fall and chose to forgo the debilitating ordeal of chemotherapy to better enjoy his remaining days.

Born in Corning, N.Y., he attended Corning Free Academy, where he was senior-class president. Two years in the Marine Corps preceded his entry to Princeton. He majored in history, was active in Orange Key, joined Cannon Club, and was elected its vice president.

Following graduation, Tom earned a law degree from the University of California, Berkeley (Boalt Hall). Returning to Rochester, he joined the Harris, Beach & Wilcox law firm and began a long public-service career, serving on the Rochester school board, in the New York State Assembly, as director of state operations for Gov. Hugh Carey, and on the state Board of Regents.

In 1987 he was elected Monroe County executive, the only Democrat ever to do so. He expanded the Rochester airport and Monroe Community College and began the county recycling program. Later he chaired the local New York Civil Liberties Union chapter, worked for better funding for low-income school districts, and volunteered with the Genesee Land Trust to create an urban greenway, which was recently renamed in his honor.

Tom is survived by his wife, Jacqueline Cady; children Matthew, Kathryn, Jennifer, and Sarah; and four grandchildren. We have sent condolences.