Thomas J. Fries, 83 of West Chester, PA passed away peacefully Tuesday, February 18, 2020 surrounded by family at Paoli Memorial Hospital. Born June 15, 1936 in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Tom was the son of the late Joseph A. Fries and Margaret Weems Fries. Tom was married to Marie I. Fries, his high school sweetheart, for almost 63 years.
Thomas attended Villanova University graduating with a degree in Accounting with the class of 1957. His career included serving as Comptroller for ILC Industries and Delmarva Power and Light. He served as treasurer for his homeowners association for years.
Tom had many hobbies and skills. He was an award winning decoy carver with those carvings gracing the home of all his loved ones. Spending time near water was an important part of his life. He spent a good part of his childhood and retirement near the ocean and loved fishing and boating with his family. Tom listened to all genres of music and especially loved operas, a passion he shared with his grandson. He and Marie enjoyed traveling and cruising the Caribbean during the winter months. During his life Tom chose to pursue a variety of hobbies and interests including photography and woodworking. Truly, with any craft or hobby he chose to pursue, he became proficient and his family received gifts that were the fruit of his talents. Of all the things he loved, Tom would probably say it was the company of his wife, children and grandchildren whether at the beach or at family dinner. For Tom, family was his greatest joy. He loved his family and he loved his wife, Marie, most of all.
In addition to his wife Marie, he is survived by his children, Deborah Krall (Thomas), Patricia Ruggeri (Bruce), Kathleen Bernstein (Marc), and Thomas J. Fries Jr, and one brother, Donald Fries. He has nine grandchildren, Amanda Sherman (Mark), Michael Krall (Cory), Daniel Krall, Nicholas Ruggeri (Monica), Marina Bernstein, Rebecca Krall, Eugene Bernstein, Joelle Ruggeri, and Vincent Ruggeri, and five great-grandchildren.
Relatives and Friends are invited to his visitation on Saturday, February 22, 2020 from 9:30 am - 10:45 am at SS. Philip & James Church, Rt. 30 & Ship Road Exton, PA; followed by his Funeral Mass at 11:00 am.
Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, a donation to the charity of your choice that supports the rights and comfort of children will be greatly appreciated.
Arrangements by DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith & Boyd Funeral Home, Inc. of West Chester, PA 610-696-1181; www.DellaFH.com.