Gregory Nevin Frey

Gregory Nevin Frey, 77, of Sarasota, FL passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on Friday, August 4, 2023.

 

Surviving family members include his wife of 43 years, Summer Frey; son, Randy (Mavis) Frey; daughters, Aimee (Michael) Friday and Erin (Joe) Dolan; sister, Holly (Peter) Cruser; nephew, PJ (Kim) Cruser; and grandchildren, Emilee Kindred, Lucas Dolan, Maeve Dolan, and Elijah Frey.

 

Born in Cleveland, OH to parents Constance Hine Orr and Harry Mertz Frey, Greg was always up to mischief, a master prankster from his earliest days as a child. 

 

Greg resided in Columbus, OH for many years and remained a dedicated Buckeyes fan for his entire life. He started his career in Columbus at Homewood Corporation where he headed up software development. Fueled by an entrepreneurial mindset and a passion for gourmet cuisine, Greg opened Graceland Chateau, a wine store and delicatessen, as well as managed the Wine and Cheese Emporium. From there he worked as a regional wine consultant for a major beer and wine distributor, which brought him to Florida where he also became a wine consultant for private investors.

 

With his gift of gab and charismatic communication style, he excelled in sales while constantly nurturing grand visions. This led to his next venture which would be the car wash business, establishing Polynet Global Wash Systems in Sarasota, FL. Polynet went on to develop custom self-service car washes in Florida, Georgia, and Puerto Rico for which he won many national car wash association awards.

 

A history enthusiast, Greg absorbed the culture and heritage of each place he journeyed to, including Germany, Ireland, Mexico, Portugal, Scotland, England, South Africa, and various corners of America.

 

Greg embodied diverse interests and qualities: gourmet cook extraordinaire, a music buff, a storyteller, a golfer, a gardener with a special focus on orchids, gadget aficionado, a host for vibrant gatherings, generous, quick-witted, and big-hearted. He always kept his mind sharp by reading the daily newspaper, keeping up with current events, playing solitaire, solving crossword puzzles, and engaging in a strategic match of chess.

 

A Celebration of Life will be on Thursday, August 17, 2023, 3:00pm at Gulf Gate Church, 6501 S Lockwood Ridge Rd, Sarasota, FL 34231.

 

Greg will forever be endeared in the hearts of his family and friends, and he will be deeply missed.