Jeffrey Scott Frary

 Jeffrey Scott Frary passed away peacefully at home in Barrington, RI, on October 25, 2022.  He was 65.  He is survived by his parents, Dr. Richard and Joan Frary of Barrington, RI, and his three brothers and their families: Stephen and Patricia of Jamestown, RI, Clinton of Derry, NH, and Adam of Andover, MA, and nieces and nephews; Elizabeth and Nathaniel, Grace and Audrey, and Cameron and Anjali.

The oldest of four boys, Jeff was very curious and adventurous, taking up rock climbing, scuba diving, sailing, ice boating, archery, hang gliding, horseback riding and polo. He naturally took to scouting early and enjoyed the camaraderie that Troop II of Barrington engendered, proudly achieving the level of Eagle Scout.  He loved music and played the drums for years, before taking up the saxophone.  Occasional impromptu jam sessions at home with family and friends were some of his favorite times.

After graduating from Barrington High School, Jeff continued his education with a postgraduate year at Northfield Mount Herman. From there, he attended Skidmore College, and eventually Brown University.  He loved learning, but finally left Brown when, he said, he “realized that everything one needs to know is in the library.”  He devoured books, and the ones he really liked, he would get to the end and immediately start over and reread them.  His copies of Mark Twain, Ray Bradbury and John Le Carre’ are well worn. He acquired the Electrician’s Service Manual, read it from cover to cover, and rewired his home.  The inspector took one look at the service panel, and said he didn’t need to see any more, it was so perfectly done.  Jeff had a keen intellect, an insatiable curiosity for any and all subjects, and a strong memory for facts and details, which made him a formidable conversationalist and debater.  He loved the challenge of an honest disagreement. At times, this aspect of his nature could give offense, but it was his honor, integrity and loyalty to truth that guided him, and not animosity.  He loved people, was kind and sensitive, and his depth and breadth of knowledge was a constant source of entertainment for his family and lifelong friends.

His gentleness and compassion for his animal friends was invariable.  His love and devotion for his dogs Mike and Abby was unmatched. Years after their deaths, he couldn’t talk about them without a waver in his voice.  He befriended squirrels that ate out of his lap;  a baby skunk that would take food from his hand;  he knew the path to walk to avoid knocking down the spider webs;  he kept the bird-feeders always full;  he helped what he called the “little Oreo with legs” newborn turtle find the pond;  he nursed a praying mantis back to health;  and he claimed the horses knew what he was thinking when he rode the polo field.

Jeff had an amazing hands-on mechanical aptitude that he used and developed throughout his lifetime. After working for Shannon Yachts in Bristol, RI, Jeff then went to work in the machining industry at Taft-Peirce, where he met his future business partner and long-time friend Bruce MacLeod.  Jeff’s individualist nature, and a strong desire for independence led him to start DieNamics, a machining business housed in the Bristol Herreshoff manufacturing facility.  His attention to detail was extreme.  A favorite phrase he often recited was “That’s not right.”  Whether measuring a die-blade to 1/10,000th of an inch, making repairs to an antique banjo clock, improving on the manufacture of his snowblower, or repairing a kitchen chair, he was going to do it right, no matter what.  His hobby of jewelry-making required him to stare through his eye loupe at the tiniest of details, and his friends David Rogers and Burr Sebring of Gorham Silver remained a constant source of inspiration and encouragement.

Jeff’s reputation for solving problems and inventing unique solutions attracted unusual and interesting business, and his friendships grew to include an extremely varied and diverse mix of people.  He had a story about every one of them, and loved to retell interesting facts about their lives and history.  Jeff’s eclectic personality intrigued all who met him, from the highest levels in industry including CEOs and executives flying in from Japan, University professors and intellectuals, to a homeless man he met on the street. He knew all their names, remembered the smallest of their life details, and kept them alive in the stories he’d retell, creating an endlessly fascinating mosaic that became his life.

Calling hours will be held on Monday November 7, 20221 fro 10:00 Am - 12:00 PM in the Smith-Mason Funeral Home 398 Willett Ave Riverside, RI 02915.