Ace Frehley, the trailblazing guitarist who helped launch KISS into rock immortality, was laid to rest this week in the Bronx, New York—just blocks from where his journey began.
A private memorial service was held on Tuesday, October 21 at the Sinatra Memorial Home in Yonkers, followed by a funeral the next day in the Bronx. According to SiriusXM host and longtime friend Eddie Trunk, the burial site was chosen to reflect Frehley’s wishes: close to his childhood home and near his parents’ graves.
The service was intimate and invitation-only, with roughly 75 attendees. Tampa Bay Music News reports that the room was filled with musicians who had shared stages, studios, and stories with Frehley over the years. Among them were Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, and Peter Criss—reuniting the original KISS lineup in a moment of quiet tribute.
Frehley, born Paul Daniel Frehley, passed away peacefully on October 16 in Morristown, New Jersey. His death followed complications from a second fall at home, which led to a brain bleed and life support. His family made the difficult decision to remove him from the ventilator nearly two weeks later.
The Morris County Medical Examiner’s office confirmed that no autopsy was performed. A toxicology screening and external examination are underway, with final results expected in the coming weeks.
In their initial statement confirming his passing, Frehley‘s family expressed their profound grief.
“We are completely devastated and heartbroken. In his last moments, we were fortunate enough to have been able to surround him with loving, caring, peaceful words, thoughts, prayers and intentions as he left this earth,” the statement read. “We cherish all of his finest memories, his laughter, and celebrate his strengths and kindness that he bestowed upon others. The magnitude of his passing is of epic proportions, and beyond comprehension. Reflecting on all of his incredible life achievements, Ace’s memory will continue to live on forever!”
As a founding member of KISS, Ace Frehley‘s unique guitar style and iconic stage persona were integral to the band’s global success in the 1970s. He played on their first nine albums before departing in 1982, later returning for the band’s massively successful reunion tour in 1996. The results of the toxicology tests will provide the final, official details surrounding the passing of one of rock and roll’s most influential and beloved guitarists.
