William Kupetz

Alltel To Cut 600 Jobs In Restructuring 
Although There Are No Specifics, Cuts Have Not Been Ruled Out For The Branch
In Wilkes-barre.

By LANE FILLER lfiller@leader.net
 Sunday, January 25, 2004 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 3A 





WILKES-BARRE - Fighting for peace all of his life, David Frey now rests in
peace. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Frey, 58, died at his home Saturday afternoon after a long illness. He was
a co-administrator of the Peace Center for years, and was well-known in the
community for his tireless work on a variety of projects aimed toward making
the community, and the world, a better place. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ``He lived what he felt,'' said Sally Healey, coordinator of the
Wilkes-Barre Neighborhood Impact Team, and a partner with Frey in several
causes. ``David was such a kind, warm-hearted generous man, you actually felt
calmer, more peaceful, in his presence.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Besides his anti-war activities which stretched from the Vietnam era to
America's most recent battles in Iraq, Frey was active in drug abuse
prevention and education, community mediation of disputes, gun safety and
anti-death-penalty rallies. He also was active member of First Presbyterian
Church, where he helped organize massive Christmas dinners for those in need
for years. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Susan Merrill served as a co-administrator of the Peace Center with Frey,
and had known him since the 1970s. Saturday, she remembered him as a dedicated
activist who supplemented his income with trades as varied as farmer, teacher
and landlord. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``It wasn't just peace he was interested in, but justice as well,'' Merrill
said. ``He's been ill for a few years, and already, his illness had left a
gaping hole in this town for a lot of people.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Frey suffered from colon cancer. Surgery performed in 2000 was thought to
be successful, but the illness returned. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``I worked closely with David, and I couldn't help but be moved by the
strength of his convictions,'' said Peace Center director Liz Egan-Rivera.
``He was so skilled, and so committed to this area, to his family and to
making the world a better place. He would put in his personal effort, and by
strength of his beliefs and personality, engage others, and at the same time,
he was a very funny, very humble man. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``David won a lot of awards, in fact he was honored just recently, but he
didn't need prestige or fanfare. He just cared about doing what he thought
needed to be done.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Funeral arrangements are pending from the Russin Funeral Service at press
time. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Activist Frey Lived Life Keeping The Peace David Frey, Co-administrator, Of The Peace Center In Wilkesbarre, Dies At 58.