Barbara DeFrees

To many people who read this space each week, this one isn’t going to be anything you didn’t already know.

To me, the DeFrees Park, DeFrees Family Center, DeFrees Pavilion at Betts Park and the bells around town are what they are.

So when a representative for the DeFrees Family Memorial Fund (I had heard of that too) reached out for a story, I said yes.

What they submitted follows with minor edits. To anyone – like me – not familiar with the man behind the name, there’s a lot to learn here both in a historical sense but also answering a simple question: What’s in a name?

Many of you may remember when Joseph DeFrees was alive. Perhaps you were friends, or remember him by his house on Fifth and Liberty streets. Maybe your only knowledge of him is the man behind the bells around Warren. Mr. DeFrees took action during his lifetime to ensure his legacy would be eternal. It’s important as time passes that we remain aware of and grateful for Joseph DeFrees as we understand his current impact in our lives within our community.

Photos provided to the Times Observer Joseph DeFrees

Joseph DeFrees established two companies — “Allegheny Valve” and “Allegheny Coupling”, in operation today as one company — “Allegheny Valve and Coupling, Inc.” A brilliant engineer, Mr. DeFrees invented fittings that became industry standards in the petroleum transport industry. He forged agreements that were mutually beneficial to all parties, often sealed by a handshake agreement. Barbara DeFrees, Joseph’s wife, served as vice president of Allegheny Valve Company and Allegheny Coupling Company. This role took her around the world. A violinist and pianist, Barbara especially loved the arts. She served on the board of trustees at Ripon College, her alma mater, as well as the board of directors at Chautauqua Institution.

Mr. DeFrees’ dedication extended beyond his business to a lifelong concern with his hometown of Warren. Successful companies are rooted in successful communities. He placed high importance on investing in the community in which he lived and built his business. All of his stock in Allegheny Valve and Coupling, along with a living trust, funded “The DeFrees Family Foundation,” established in 1977. He made an agreement with his wife Barbara, who shared her husband’s spirit of philanthropy, his brother, and two sisters that all of their stock in the companies was also to be left to this Foundation upon their deaths.

The Foundation was renamed “The DeFrees Family Memorial Fund” in 2011. Mr. DeFrees’ purpose was to launch a base of support from which investment earnings from this fund could be used to help the community prosper. Any history of the DeFrees Family Memorial Fund must address the social responsibility and loyalty held by Joseph DeFrees for the city of Warren, which he saw as a “jewel to be embellished, polished, and protected.” He said it would survive only through private industry, the free enterprise system, diversification, and hardworking individuals.

The Community Foundation of Warren oversees the investment of the DeFrees Family Memorial Fund, and a group of community members (the DeFrees Family Memorial Fund Committee) oversees management of the Fund’s earnings by considering requests for needs in the spirit of honoring Joseph DeFrees’ benevolent intent.

Caring is the virtue that was born from Mr. DeFrees’ desire to “give back”. Success in fulfilling this responsibility lies with the Committee recognizing that the act of giving is secondary to the importance of the work supported, as this enhances the broader good for us all, and fulfills Mr. and Mrs. DeFrees’ original vision.

Throughout the past 45 years, grants just shy of $10 million have been given to numerous organizations and programs of Warren County. Cornell University and Ripon College, Joseph and Barbara’s respective alma maters, along with many other universities that have endowed scholarship funds, have been beneficiaries of the Fund.

A person can make a difference in many ways. Resources of time and financial support are needed for a community’s organizations, programs, and projects to succeed and thrive. The Community Foundation of Warren can help anyone interested in creating a lasting legacy in a manner similar to Joseph DeFrees. Mr. DeFrees believed in supporting arts, health, education, youth, and citizens’ causes, as well as community campaigns. His is a great example of “paying it forward” and leaving a lasting impact. Participating in events such as Warren Gives and the United Fund campaign, and volunteering time and expertise also goes a long way in supporting our community and leaving a lasting mark.

Mr. DeFrees placed 24 total bells throughout the city of Warren in specially designed towers to add a touch of modern art to Warren’s beauty. The first of six bell towers was erected in 1975 and the last in 1982, the year he died. Most were designed by him, and include a poem or quote, meaningful to Mr. DeFrees with regard to a life well-lived and as a tribute to Warren, its pioneers, its citizens, beauty, and progress. Many of these bells are in need of refurbishing. The DeFrees Family Memorial Fund Committee will be working with the city to restore these bells to respectfully care for this gift and honor Mr. and Mrs. DeFrees.