Obituary of The Honorable John D. Frawley

Devoted husband, adored father and respected public servant, the Honorable John D. Frawley, age 93, passed away peacefully on May 7, 2016. Born in Elmira on May 18, 1922, he was the second of six children of Edward and Alice Frawley and is survived by one sister, Sister Clare Frawley. He is predeceased by his sister Rose Alice Frawley and brothers, Carroll, Gerald, and Robert Frawley. John is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, RoseMary Vaughan Frawley, and their eight children and 19 grandchildren: Kevin (Joan): Austin, Taryn, Egan and Robert Frawley; Elizabeth (Smith): Vaughan, and Conor Bagley; Brian (Patty): Teddy Camp; Terry: Andrew Frawley; Rosemary (Sam): Amelia D'Souza; Pegeen: Kara, Maggie, Cailey and Molly Doran; Bernadette (Michael): Ryan, Christopher and Griffin Butterfield; and Ellen (Nico): Ian, Luke and Aidan Vroom. Judge Frawley graduated from Elmira Catholic High School, Niagara University and Columbia University Law School. He served in the European Theater as a lieutenant in World War II and received the Bronze Star for meritorious achievement in connection with military operations. He was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his rescue of British troops from a German prison camp in 1945. He was a member of the fourth Armored Division, which liberated the Ohrdruf Concentration Camp in April 1945, the first Nazi camp liberated by U.S. troops. Judge Frawley was elected eight times as Judge of Elmira Recorder's Court and enjoyed the endorsement of both parties. He was Founder and Executive Director of the Family Support Project to deal with multi-problem families and sponsor the Outreach Program to improve family life. His court was one of the first in the Nation to mandate referral and treatment programs for alcoholics who appear in court. He was a Member of Governor Rockefeller's Task Force on Alcohol Problems, and Chairman of its Committee on Alcohol and Highway Safety. He continued his commitment to support and strengthen families when he was elected as Chemung County Family Court Judge, where he served from 1982-1992. From 1993-2007 he served as a Judicial Hearing Officer for the State of New York. He was passionate about his Catholic faith, Irish heritage, Democratic politics, the NY Giants and his community. He served as past president of the Elmira Rotary Club, Neighborhood House, Optimist Club, and Elmira Pioneers Baseball Club. He was the founder and president of the Elmira CYO, Glove House, Notre Dame High School Board of Governors and Huck Finn Little League. He was a charter member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and a long standing member of the Knights of Columbus. Friends are invited to McInerny Funeral Home, 502 W. Water Street, Elmira, on Tuesday, May 10, 2016 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Patrick's Church, Wednesday, May 11, 2016, 11:00 a.m. Military honors will be accorded outside of the church after the Mass. Private interment will be in St. Peter & Paul's Cemetery. The family wishes to convey their deep gratitude to the thoughtful and loving care provided over the past few years by Barbara Hillman, Laura Brown, Wendy Voight and Becky Tillotson. They also wish to thank Dr. Tony Ciccarello, Dr. Dayakar Reddy, Father Rick Farrell, Deacon Joe Erway and Carefirst Hospice. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in his name to Holy Family Catholic School, 421 Fulton Street, Elmira NY 14904 or Notre Dame High School, 1400 Maple Avenue, Elmira NY 14904. Officers and members of the A.O.H. will meet at McInerny Funeral Home on Tuesday, May 10th at 7:00 p.m. to conduct a service for our brother, John. Signed, Tim Tobin, President.