Frederick J. Rys, 82
Dateline: Mansfield, MA
Frederick J. Rys, age 82, of Mansfield, passed away peacefully, in the presence of his loving family on Tuesday, November 7, 2023 at the Morton Hospital in Taunton. He was the beloved husband of Joanne G. (Prosser) Rys, to whom he was wed for thirty-three years.
Born in Fall River, MA on August 20, 1941, he was a loving son of the late Fred and Jennie (Zukowski) Rys.
Fred grew up in Fall River and was a 1959 graduate of Durfee High School. He continued his education, receiving a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1963 from Providence College where he also served in the ROTC Program. Fred proudly served his country from 1964-1966 as a First Lieutenant in the United States Army. He later returned to school and received his Masters Degree in Business Administration in 1978 from Northeastern University.
Prior to retiring, Mr. Rys was employed as an Accounting Manager for over twenty years for the telephone company and at the time of his retirement, the company operated under the name of Nynex. He also taught as a Professor of Finance at Northeastern University and later at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy.
Fred had made his home in Mansfield for over twenty years and also in Harwich for twenty years. His community involvements included being a longtime member and former chairman of the Mansfield Conservation Commission and was instrumental in the acquisition of large parcels of conservation land in Mansfield. In Harwich, Fred belonged to the Cranberry Valley Golf Club and was as a member of the Harwich Golf Committee. He was also a member of the Brooks Free Library, as well as a member and treasurer of the Friends of the Brooks Free Library and also served as a member of the Friends of Pleasant Bay.
Fred’s love for family was unconditional and his hobbies and interests included golfing, fishing, boating and traveling.
In addition to his wife, he was the devoted father and stepfather of Andrew P. Rys and his wife Justina of Taunton, Christopher E. Begley and his wife Jen Jordan-Begley of Lunenburg, Kathleen L. Fisher and her husband Sean of North Attleboro and the late Jeffrey P. Rys, who is survived by his wife Linda and the late Kevin M. Begley. He was the cherished grandfather of Carmen, Frederick Simon, Hannah, Emily, Cameron, Natalee and Tommy. He was the dear brother of Kenneth Rys and his wife Paula of Bow, NH and the late Helen Snelling and her late husband Sam Snelling. He is also survived by his many much-loved nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours, to which relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend, will be held on Sunday, November 12th from 4:00-7:00 P.M. at the Sherman & Jackson Funeral Home, 55 North Main Street, Mansfield.
His funeral service will be held on Monday, November 13th at 10:00 A.M. in the Mansfield Congregational Church, 17 West Street, Mansfield. Burial, along with military honors will follow at the Spring Brook Cemetery in Mansfield.
In lieu of flowers, Fred’s family would appreciate that donations in his memory be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 28105 or the charity of one’s choice.
To send his family a message of condolence, please visit www.shermanjackson.com