Thomas R. Freye

MADISON-Thomas R. "Tom" Freye , age 48, of Madison, passed away on Tuesday, March 21, 2017 at Agrace HospiceCare. He was born on June 23, 1968, in Madison, the son of Dick Freye and Dee (Morton) Burke. After Tom graduated from McFarland High School and attended UW-Whitewater, his life-long career centered on quality control of Durable Medical Equipment, beginning at Datex Ohmeda for the first 21 years. Tom's next four years were spent traveling to several different states as a consultant for medical equipment companies who were being investigated by the FDA. Ultimately, Tom was thrilled to return home to accept a position as Quality Control Engineer for Accuray Radiation Oncology. Because Tom soon became invested in helping to save lives from cancer, it seemed like a cruel twist of fate to many when he was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer at the age of 46. Since Tom always found a positive aspect of every setback he encountered, it wasn't really surprising that Tom used his situation as an opportunity to inspire his colleagues as to the important value of their work. His faith was very important. Tom was a member of St. Bernard Catholic Church and a former member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, where Fr. John Silva presided. Tom's number one joy was airplanes, especially F16's. He was thrilled when he got to go on a flight simulator, a private trip arranged by Dee. Tom loved electronics and was a gadget and technology guru. He maintained his full-time position with Accuray, while enduring over two years of radiation, surgeries, and nearly continuous chemo. Tom modeled his life-long motto and goal to "Never, ever give up!" What consumed his life was to set an example to his niece and nephew on how to "set the bar high" when life became difficult. It was vitally important to him to be involved in the research of his revered oncologist, Dr. Dustin Deming, in learning new ways to eventually conquer cancer. Tom maintained a positive outlook while gratefully accepting support from his faith, family and friends which instilled in him a stoicism that was amazing and inspiring. Before he would consider giving "in" to a reality, he strove first to create his own personal reality. Not until he accomplished his primary "bucket list goals" did he consider ways of preparing for an exit from his battle to "beat the beast of cancer". When his body eventually ran out of reserves, he came to believe that he could more effectively guide his family, friends and cancer from his heavenly home. Tom is survived by his parents, Dick Freye and Dee (Dennis) Burke; brother, Michael (Kathy) Freye; niece, Molly Freye; nephew, Peter Freye; and uncles, Michael (Eleanor) Morton and Greg Morton. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, John and Virginia Morton and John and Ruth Freye; and uncle, Tim Morton. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. BERNARD CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2450 Atwood Ave., Madison, at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 25, 2017, with Fr. Michael Radowicz presiding. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON FITCHBURG FUNERAL HOME, 2950 Chapel Valley Rd., Fitchburg, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday, March 24, 2017, and at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Saturday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Agrace HospiceCare or Dr. Dustin Deming's Research. The family wishes to thank Dr. Deming and Anica Bausch for all their loving care and to Accuray for all of their support. No farewell words were spoken...No time to say good-bye. You were gone before we knew it... and only God knows why. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson Fitchburg Funeral & Cremation Care 2950 Chapel Valley Rd. (608) 442-5002