1945 – 2026
Patrick Henry Frye, 81, of Sun City Center, FL, formerly of Kenosha, WI, passed away peacefully on March 8, 2026, surrounded by family. Born February 23, 1945, in Kenosha to the late Claire W. and Marie V. (Tunney) Frye, he attended St. Mark’s Grade School and St. Joseph High School. He earned a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin–Parkside, a Master’s in Special Education from the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, and was certified in Special Religious Education through Cardinal Stritch University.
Patrick devoted his career to serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, beginning at the Southern Wisconsin Center in Union Grove and later teaching in the Kenosha Unified School District. He also helped establish Catholic religious education programs for developmentally disabled youth and young adults in Kenosha. Ordained a permanent deacon in 1994, he served at St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Mark the Evangelist in Kenosha, as well as St. Paul the Apostle in Racine. After relocating to Sun City Center in 2013, he continued ministry in the Diocese of St. Petersburg and remained active at St. Anne Parish in Ruskin, FL.
Survived by children Stephanie (Eric Frisch) Frye, Amy (Rick) Hammerly, Daniel Frye, Jeffery (Destiny) Frye; grandchildren Austen, Jessamyn, and Ronan Frisch, Kyra and Ava Hammerly, and Sophie Frye; former wife and longtime friend Patricia Tunney; and many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. Preceded in death by his parents, brothers Thomas and Francis Frye, and sisters Margaret “Nancy” Putrynski and Paula Frye.
Visitation Mon., Mar. 16, 6–8 p.m. Eastern, St. Anne Catholic Church, Ruskin, FL. Funeral Mass Tues., Mar. 17, 9:30 a.m. Eastern, St. Anne Catholic Church (livestream: saintanneruskin.org/DeaconPat). Private entombment at Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Clearwater, FL.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to organizations serving others, including the National MS Society, Mater Dei Catholic School, Knights of Columbus, and St. Anne’s Food Pantry.
