Obituary of Morton (Tim) Fry II

July 5, 2019

Morton ("Tim") Harrison Fry, II

Tim Fry died on July 5, 2019 in New York City of pulmonary fibrosis; he was 73. Son of G.T.C. Fry, a "Mad Ave" advertising executive, and Louise Cronin, an operating room nurse, Tim grew up in Montclair, N.J., Point O' Woods, N.Y., and Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. He was sent to boarding school at Andover, where he conducted a serious study on the territoriality of squirrels, and then went to Princeton University. At college he rowed stroke for the lightweight crew, managed at the local pancake house, and was a co-winner of the American Civilization prize at graduation.. Tim met his wife of 48 years at Yale Law School. After getting his J.D. degree, he served as Chief Prosecutor of the 1st Marine Division in CA during the Vietnam War years. Thereafter, during a long career as an entertainment/corporate attorney in NYC at Cravath, Columbia Pictures and Warner (with time out to run a video company), Tim was known as a passionate advocate for his clients, including hip-hop stars and a top ballet company, and every day of his life he shouldered a pro bono project. Equally passionate in his belief in justice, he served on the national finance committees of Bill Clinton, Al Gore, and HRC for Senate. On the family front, Tim's boundless enthusiasm extended to coaching several of his children's travel soccer teams. A charismatic force, he was a mentor to many and will be missed. Beloved and survived by his wife, Patricia Coffin, his daughter Gillian, son Adam, sister Holly McGowan (Tom), and several nieces and nephews.