SUBDURY: Thomas E. “Tom” Freiss passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Saturday, October 7, 2017 following a long illness. The courage and strength he showed during his illness was boundless, and he was truly remarkable in his fight.
He was born on February 23, 1948 in Pittsburg, PA the son of the late Elmer J. Freiss and Eleanor (Dorn) Freiss.
Tom is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Ann I. (Thompson) Freiss of Sudbury. Devoted father of Laura Freiss Byrne and her husband Patrick M. Byrne of Wayland. Cherished grandfather of Kylie and Kathryn Byrne of Wayland. Brother of Elaine Mellinger of Bridgeville, PA; Richard Freiss and his wife Pat Freiss of Leominster; David Freiss and his wife Kathy Freiss of Robinson Township, PA; Paul Freiss and his longtime companion Lisa Fyock of Rochester, PA and Eleanor Smail and her husband Tony Smail of Leechburg, PA. Brother-in-law of the late Bill Mellinger. Also survived by 7 nieces and 6 nephews including his goddaughter Kristen Briczinski and his godson Christopher Freiss.
Upon completion of technical college in Pittsburgh, Tom moved to Massachusetts in February of 1968 to begin his career with Digital Equipment Corporation; he soon met his wife and settled there for the remainder of his life. Later he would complete his B.S. in Electrical Engineering at Northeastern University. Tom served his country proudly with the United States Army Reserves.
After working at Digital for 30+ years as an Electrical Engineer, he then began working for the City of Cambridge as the Network Administrator. In this role he was responsible for the design and implementation of Cambridge’s citywide network. He was a dedicated member of the city’s team and truly loved his work. He loved his “work family” and was much admired and respected by them as well. In addition to being a professional team member, he was captain of their volleyball team and enjoyed that immensely.
Tom loved the outdoors and was an avid fisherman and gardener. In his earlier years he enjoyed hunting, camping and hiking and for years he and his daughter would hike a mountain or go on a fishing trip every Father’s Day. He was also an avid reader and in his later years began painting and even showed some of his works, which mostly featured nature, publicly. He could fix almost anything mechanical and enjoyed fixing cars and boats.
His greatest joy was his family and he loved attending his granddaughter’s sporting events, and fishing with them. He and his wife enjoyed traveling and went to Italy, Australia, Hawaii, Bermuda and the Bahamas, in addition to other more local trips. Tom will be sorely missed by all those whose lives he touched.
Visitations will be held on Friday, October 13, 2017 from 5:00 to 8:30 pm at the John C. Bryant Funeral Home, 56 Pemberton Road (Off Route 30), Wayland.
Family and friends are asked to go directly to Our Lady of Fatima Church, 160 Concord Road, Sudbury on Saturday, October 14, 2017 at 10:00 am for Tom’s Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will follow.
For those who desire his family suggests that memorial gifts in Tom’s memory may be sent to Make-A- Wish MA and RI, One Bullfinch Place, 2nd Floor, Boston, MA 02114 ([email protected]) or the charity of the donor’s choice.
For condolences and directions please visit www.johncbryantfuneralhome.com.