James Edward Frew Of Lacey Township Dies At 77

Courtesy of Layton’s Home for Funerals:

James Edward Frew, 77, passed away at home on August 20, 2015 in the presence of family.

Jim was the first of three children born to Mary (nee Respondeck) and James Frew in Detroit, Michigan on July 23, 1938. He developed a strong work ethic as a young boy and won an appointment to the prestigious United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY, where he graduated in 1961.

He met his wife Roberta “Bobbie” (nee Fey) during college and married her in 1962. He was commissioned as a Lieutenant JG with the US Naval Reserves and sailed for American Export Lines after graduation. He and Bobbie moved to Pascagoula, MS after their honeymoon where he began working as a marine engineer for Ingalls Shipbuilding, which commenced a 44 year career in the nuclear industry.

Jim and Bobbie were blessed to have a family of two girls and two boys, and they remained in Pascagoula for the next 20 years. There he was active in coaching soccer and baseball, the Knights of Columbus with the Catholic Church, the Boy Scouts, and the Elks.

After leaving Pascagoula, Jim took a job with GPU Nuclear and the family moved to Randolph, NJ. He also worked for GPU Nuclear in Hershey, PA where he helped safely remove all damaged fuel from one of the nuclear reactors at Thee Mile Island. Though he retired early from GPU Nuclear at Oyster Creek while living in Lanoka Harbor, he did work for several more years with Washington Group International (formerly Raytheon Engineers and Constructors) in Tennessee, Texas and Michigan.

Through his life and in retirement he enjoyed swimming and the beach, golfing, woodworking, puzzles, birdwatching, the Detroit Tigers and Lions, jazz, gadgets, traveling and keeping in touch with classmates from Kings Point. His family will remember with love his intelligence, his fondness for sweets - especially chocolate - his propensity to tear up at emotional moments, his delight at his grandchildren, his generosity and devotion towards immediate and extended family members, his patience, his can-do attitude and fortitude, his gentle nature and his optimism.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Bobbie; son James E.B.Frew (Tennessee) and daughter-in-law Christy, grandsons Brodie, Carter, and Porter; daughter Patty Frew (Oregon) and son-in-law Jeff Benerofe, granddaughters Esti and Flora; son Charles (NJ); and daughter Kathryn McGuire (NY) and son-in-law Peter McGuire, granddaughter Grace and grandson Jack. He is also survived by younger brother Ronald (Michigan), brother-in-law Charles Novotny (Vermont), nieces Beth Novotny (Vermont) and her family, Margaret Novotny (Texas), Mary Ellen Jacobs (Michigan), Elaine Jacobs (Maryland), and Rachel Frew (Michigan) and nephew William Frew (Michigan). He is preceded in death by his parents, sister Nancy, and nephew Christopher.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the 5p minus society at: http://form.jotform.us/form/50397158687167, or through the organization’s website at www.fivepminus.org/Donate. Jim was partial to this organization as his grandson Jack was recently diagnosed with the syndrome. Jim will be sorely missed by his friends and family.

A funeral mass will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday at the Church of Saint Pius X, Forked River. Burial will follow at PineLawn Cemetery, Farmingdale, New York. Layton’s Home For Funerals, Forked River is in charge of arrangements.