J. Harry Frey

J. Harry Frey

J. Harry Frey, age 91, of Mechanicsburg, and formerly of Shiremanstown, passed away on Sunday, September 18, 2022.  Harry was born on Saturday, November 22, 1930, in Shiremanstown to the late Harry Dill Frey and Ruth N. (Stone) Frey.  In addition to his parents, Harry is preceded in death by his three sisters: Elizabeth Kauffman, June Yaple, and Elnora Hake.

Harry’s survivors include his wife of 48 years, Teri Lea (Maley) Frey; his two daughters: Crystal Schade and her husband, Doug, of Elizabethville; Desiree Boykin and her husband, Kevin, of Phoenix City, AL; his five grandchildren: Tara, Emily, Brandi, Nathan, Lindsay; his eight great-grandchildren: Anthony, Ayden, Kaylynn, Emma, Spencer, Kadence, Lily Rey, Gabe, Jr.; his sister, Henrietta Moser, of Mechanicsburg; and several nieces and nephews.

Harry graduated from Mechanicsburg High School as part of the class of 1948 and served in the United States Navy as a Seabee during the Korean War.  He retired from the State Correctional Institution in Camp Hill in 1986, after years of service working as a tradesman instructor/supervisor.  Harry was a lifelong member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Mechanicsburg.  He was a lifetime member and was the fire chief of Shiremanstown Fire Company for nearly 40 years, a lifetime member of Lower Allen Fire Company, as well as a member of the Shiremanstown Historical Society, Cumberland County Firemans Association, Fire Museum of Harrisburg, American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), and American Legion Post 109 – Mechanicsburg.  Harry greatly enjoyed being a volunteer firefighter, and had done so since he was a senior in high school.  He liked to spend time with his classmates from 1948 and regularly met them for lunch.  Harry was an excellent baseball player, and he also loved to play golf with his group on many area golf courses.  He took great pride in his ’57 Chevy and won many drag races with it.  Known as “the memory keeper” by the Historical Society, Harry had an immaculate memory and enjoyed going on interviews with his wife, Teri, who is the museum director.  He will be greatly missed.

All are welcome to join Harry’s family at his viewing on Monday, September 26, 2022, from 10:30 a.m. until time of service at 11:30 a.m. at Buhrig Funeral Home & Crematory, 37 East Main Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055; with The Reverend Sarah M. Keilholtz officiating.  Harry’s family invites everyone to join them for a time of food and fellowship at Buhrig’s Gathering Place (next to the funeral home) immediately following the service.  Burial will follow the reception in St. John’s Cemetery in Mechanicsburg, where military honors will be presented by the Cumberland County Honor Guard.

Contributions in celebration of Harry’s life can be made to Shiremanstown Historical Society, 4 Walnut Street, Shiremanstown, PA 17011 or to St. John’s Lutheran Church, 44 West Main Street, Shiremanstown, PA 17011.

Harry’s family has entrusted his care to Buhrig Funeral Home & Crematory in Mechanicsburg, (717) 766-3421.  Read Harry’s full obituary, view his memorial video and portrait, offer condolences and sympathy, share stories and memories, upload photographs and videos, light a candle and sign his official guest book by visiting Buhrig.com.