Gregory Stanley Fryzel

Birth date: Jan 26, 1947 Death date: Jan 14, 2025

Gregory Stanley Fryzel, 77, of Fort Wayne, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne. Born in Detroit, Mich., he was the son of the late Stanley and Stella (Krzyskowski) Fryzel. As an Read Obituary

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Alexandre Florentin

37w ago

I met Grégoire at Homestead High School around 2005. I was there as an exchange student from France and stayed 2 weeks. We met again in Paris and stayed in touch for many years.

What a joyful, witty, french grammar-geeky, funny, intellectual and saucy man Greg was! 20 years later I still remember vividly our conversations, because they made me grow as a young adult.

I will not make it to the memorial gathering, but rest assure that I will be there, with all my heart, to cherish Gregory and support all those who loved him. As he would probably say: condelences means "to suffer with" in latin, so, mes sincères condoléances à John et à toutes celles et ceux qui aiment Grégoire.

Alexandre Florentin

Norbert Drobot

38w ago

Greg was a great friend and classmate at St. Hedwig High School in Detroit class of 1965.
You are missed.

Jerry Kaelin

43w ago

Gregory’s Chartres wedding gift

Jerry Kaelin

43w ago

Given our different personalities, Gregory, you and I were both surprised that we became good friends in 1975 at St. Leonard College — a Franciscan graduate school of theology near Dayton, OH. It began with a heated discussion about Elton John’s two versions of “Burn Down the Mission” on TUMBLEWEED CONNECTION: which was better? — the studio or live version? I became your sous chef for some delightful soirées. We heard Brahms 2nd Piano Concerto at the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra with a ministry acquaintance of mine who played it as a runner-up in Moscow’s International Tchaikovsky Piano Competition.

As we both left the friars, we drifted apart, but each of us serving with skills we learned at St. Leonard’s. You teaching French (& a whole lot more) to his students. Me as a hospital chaplain & chaplain-educator for 30+ years (with the Jesuits at Loyola University Medical Center).

You came to Fran’s & my wedding in 1997 and gave us a special gift with this inscription on the back:

In the Summer of 1974 I travelled to France with a group of students. As usual, we had a grand time. Upon our return, we planned a little party at which people could show the pictures they had taken in France. Katy Silliman brought her photos like everyone else, but was heartbroken that her photo of Chartres Cathedral came out so blurred. After looking at all her other photos, I told her that it was the photo of Chartres Cathedral that was the best of all. Katy was generous enough to permit me to make a few prints. Very few. You have one of them. I hope that it brings you pleasure.
Love, Gregory.

You have been a great pleasure in my life, Gregory.

And you gave Fran and me great tips for our later honeymoon trip to Paris — and Chartres.

I smile as I remember my last phone conversation with you a couple years ago — after hearing that Brahms Piano Concerto with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. We again relished the surprising change of tempo in the first movement.

Yes, indeed, you were always a surprising and wonderful change of tempo.
Thank you, Gregory.

I do expect that you’ll be able to play it for me yourself up in heaven.

Jerry Kaelin & Fran Langdon
Chicago

Rick Smith

43w ago

Sincere condolences to Gregory's family... wishing you Godspeed as you navigate through your loss.

Gregory was simply an exceptional individual, professional, and friend. It was a pleasure and privilege to work with him at Woodside Middle School and Homestead High School for many years. Gregory was a master teacher; continually looking for ways to improve education. He endeared students to his subject matter through meaningful academic and interpersonal connections. He loved students and his students loved him… his personality was infectious. As professional, what a great team member and colleague. Beyond his own interests, he continually sought ways to support the greater good for students, parents, and the school. As a friend, Gregory was always willing to help. He somehow knew when to stop by my office for a chat, and to offer his thoughts and support.

Gregory will certainly be missed. His compassion for everyone around him is something rarely found. I am thankful for having experienced Gregory’s exceptional personality and character.

Vivian Nguyen

43w ago

I had the privilege of being Mr. Fryzel's student at HHS. He was the most gentle and wisest of souls who would regale his students with anecdotes from his past and tidbits of whatever he was interested in the moment. The topics ranged from handwriting, to Björk's album Homogenic (the album art he kept on his classroom wall), to stories of growing up in Detroit, and to Paula Deen. He went through a particular spell with Paula Deen. I remember him loading up an episode he recorded just to show us a quote he found hilarious, "Why do I use so much butter? ...Because I can!" He would sometimes bake us cupcakes and we would all sit there in happy silence, munching on our treats while class went on.

I will never forget Mr. Fryzel, a model of kindness and empathy.

Ben Moore

43w ago

Gregory was one of my French teachers at Luers. He was kind, funny, and told fantastic stories. Largely because of him, I majored in French and, for a number of years, was a French teacher. John, how fortunate you have been to have Gregory by your side all of these years!

Lisa Yde

43w ago

What a kind, talented, interesting and all around gentleman! I knew Gregory from teaching together at Homestead. One afternoon when we met for a drink after his teaching days were over, during our conversation I commented that he was just so nice. He said “Well isn’t that what we are supposed to do? Be kind?” His heart was full. I am sorry for your loss, John. Heaven is rejoicing.

Taylor Lehman

43w ago

Mr. Fryzel was my French teacher at Homestead. He was a great teacher and treated students with dignity, kindness and respect. I think every student liked him. He had a personality that just drew you in. He was able to strike the perfect balance between education and fun. I saw him making Moravian stars one day and asked him about it. He happily taught me how to make them right then, in class. He knew those little moments were important. He was a wonderful person who will be dearly missed by everyone who met him and knew him.

Kathy Kearns

43w ago

Mr.Fryzel was my French teacher more than 20 years ago at Homestead High School and he was the type of teacher you never forgot. He was funny, passionate, and opinionated. Mr.Fryzel cared deeply about his students and never tolerated complacency or mediocrity. Although learning Spanish would have been a more practical decision, I never regretted taking French because it meant spending time with a teacher as excellent as Mr Fryzel. Sending sympathy to his husband, his family and friends.
With deep sadness and sincere gratitude, Kathy (Muhler) Kearns

Jerry Kaelin

43w ago

You came to Fran’s & my wedding in 1997 and gave us a special gift with this inscription on the back:

You have been a great pleasure in my life, Gregory.

And you gave Fran and me great tips for our later honeymoon trip to Paris — and Chartres.

Yes, indeed, you were always a surprising and wonderful change of tempo.
Thank you, Gregory.

I do expect that you’ll be able to play it for me yourself up in heaven.

Jerry Kaelin & Fran Langdon
Chicago

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