Arthur T. Frerichs

Arthur “Tom” Frerichs, age 82, of Wayne passed away peacefully on Wednesday July 8, 2020 while receiving the loving care of his family. Family and friends knew him as Tom.

Tom was born and raised in Paterson and was the only child to Arthur and Marjorie Frerichs.  While growing up, Tom developed a great love of the sport of Golf.  He started as a young boy at the age of fourteen while working at the Passaic County Golf Course and never looked back.  While attending St Joseph’s High School in Paterson, Tom was also the manager of the high school basketball team.  After graduating St Joseph’s High School with the class of 1956, Tom was accepted and attended Seton Hall University where he earned his Bachelors of Science Degree in Business Administration in 1960.

Tom found work quickly following his graduation and in 1961 he began his career employed as an accountant with American Cyanamid in Wayne.  Shortly after starting his employment at American Cyanamid, he went back to school at night at Seton Hall University and obtained his Master’s Degree in Business Administration in 1972.  Tom’s career at American Cyanamid spanned thirty five years, during which he worked in the accounting and credit departments and eventually became the Corporate Payroll Manager.  He held this position until his retirement in 1996.  As an accountant at American Cyanamid,he worked on the same floor as a young attractive woman by the name of Susan Carlile.  The two of them hit it off and started dating.  The couple dated for about six years and as fate would have it, they fell in love and became husband and wife on April 21, 1968.   He and Sue were married at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Wayne and honeymooned on the island of Bermuda.

After getting married the couple settled in Wayne and have been there ever since.  They called Wayne their home for the next fifty two years and raised their family there.  Tom was an avid golfer to put it lightly.  In 1966 he joined the High Mountain golf Club in Franklin Lakes and remained a member there until its closing in 2014.  During his years as a member, he participated in many golf tournaments winning six club championships and earning the nickname, “The King.”  Subsequent to his retirement in 1996, Tom, not being able to stay away from golf, took a job as a landscaper at the Meadows Golf Course in Lincoln Park where he worked for about five years.

After retirement in 1996, Tom and Sue became "Snow Birds" and bought a condo in Naples, FL situated on the Countryside Golf Club, where he was also a member.  They spent several winters in Naples.

Tom was a devoted husband and father.  His greatest passion was his family, nothing in the world meant more to him than spending time with, and providing for his family.  He and his wife cherished fifty two years of loyal and loving marriage together.  He was not only devoted to his family but also to his Catholic Faith.  He and his family were parishioners of Our Lady of Consolation Church in Wayne for many years.  He also worked and managed the Bingo nights at Our Lady of Consolation in the early years when Msgr. Wolsin was Pastor..  His personality was a melting pot of everything so to speak.  He was everything he needed to be when the times in his life called for it.  He was strong, serious, funny, compassionate, conscientious, agreeable, open, and private. Tom touched the lives of many people and will be missed by his family and his friends alike.

He is survived by his wife Susan Ann (nee Carlile), his daughter Susan Frerichs of Wayne, his son Thomas Frerichs and his wife Maria of Wayne, his son Michael Frerichs and his wife Patti of Wayne, and his daughter Patricia Frerichs of Wayne, six grandchildren; Natale, Dakota, Lane, Arabella, Caylee and Liam.    

In lieu of flowers, those planning to make a donation in Tom’s name are asked to consider Our Lady of Consolation Church, 1799 Hamburg Tpk, Wayne, NJ 07470, Wayne Township Memorial First Aid Squad, P.O. Box 2004, Wayne, NJ 07474 or Wayne Fire Co. #3, 130 Jackson Avenue, Wayne, NJ 07470.