Russell Kent Frey RIP

Clarence alumnus ('78) Russell Kent Frey passed away suddenly May 26, 2016. He was an accomplished equestrian, and many tributes and photos are available online. Rest in peace, and condolences to the family. From the Buffalo News:

FREY - Russell Kent August 2, 1960 - May 26, 2016, beloved father of Lydia Frey; dear son of Harold and Beth (nee Honsberger); loving brother of James and Susan (nee Berry), Steven and Barbara (nee Louisos), Paul and Sharol (nee Frey) Martell, Harold Jr. "Skip" and Kimberly (nee Benny); devoted uncle to many and a loving friend.

Russell was a lifelong and successful equestrian and had just completed a successful Winter Equestrian Festival in Florida. Frey finished the season earning the top honors in the USHJA $50,000 International Hunter Derby aboard Nina Moore's Kodachrome.

Russell graduated from Clarence High School in Clarence, NY in 1978.

The family will be present to receive family and friends on Tuesday, May 31 from 9:30 AM-12 PM at the Clarence Church of Christ, 5375 Old Goodrich Rd., Clarence where a Memorial Service will follow at 12 PM. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to either the Clarence Church of Christ or the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center. Please share condolences at www.AMIGONE.com

(photo by Emily Riden, Phelps Sports; article here)

Kyle "Barney" Gaskill RIP

Clarence alumnus ('71) Kyle "Barney" Gaskill has passed away. He and I had gone to the same church back in the day, as well as high school. I don't recall where the nickname "Barney" came from, but he embraced it!

From the Buffalo News:

GASKILL - Kyle J. "Barney" Of Clarence, NY, May 11, 2016, beloved husband of Mary S. (nee Moore); dearest father of Michael and Kimberly (Ralphfeale) Johnson; grandfather of Jayden Johnson; son of Lucille (nee Herbst) and the late Norman Hoffmeister; brother of Laurie Rosebrock; also survived by nephews.

The family will be present on Sunday from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at THE URBAN BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME INC., 6685 Transit Rd., East Amherst, NY (south of County and North French Rds.), where prayers will be offered Monday morning at 11:15 AM, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church (Harris Hill) at 12 noon.

Mr. Gaskill was a life member of the Clarence Center Volunteer Fire Company, a retiree of the Clarence Highway Dept., and a veteran of the U.S. Army. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice Buffalo.