alumni events & news Now retired, Mike reflects on a life filled with purpose, adventure, and gratitude. He credits his parents, Aquinas, the Navy, Delta, and most importantly, his wife Marie, for the many blessings he has experienced. Today, he finds joy in the love and support of their three daughters and their families—a fitting chapter for a life well lived. FRED STRAUSS ’45 Distinguished Career (posthumously) Fred Strauss embodied the spirit of service, leadership, and humility that define the Aquinas mission. A graduate of the Class of 1945 and a veteran of World War II, Fred began living out his values early in life. At Aquinas, he served as an acolyte for four years and was an officer in the Inter-High Mission Unit of Rochester. Even then, it was clear that he would go on to serve his community in extraordinary ways. Fred built a distinguished career in banking, retiring in 1990 as the Regional President of Manufacturers Hanover Trust. Beyond his professional success, he played a pivotal role in shaping healthcare and public service in the Rochester region. He was a founding member of a committee that led to the opening of Park Ridge Hospital in 1975. He helped found the Greece Rotary and the Greece Volunteer Ambulance, and served as Commissioner of the Ridge Road Fire District and a member of the Greece Fire Council. He was an advocate for mental health, helping to establish the inpatient psychiatric unit at Park Ridge, and for people with disabilities. He later was involved in the merging of Park Ridge with St. Mary’s Hospital to create Unity Health System. He helped the system develop housing options for seniors, and lived at the Village at Unity. Fred was actively involved with the Monroe County Republican Party and even ran for state assembly in 1965. However, one of his most visible and impactful roles came through his leadership with Rochester Community Baseball and the Red Wings organization — a position through which he demonstrated integrity and decisive leadership during challenging times. He joined the board of Rochester Community Baseball in late 1982 following a shareholder-led proxy fight spearheaded by Anna B. Silver. At the heart of the debate was the future of Silver Stadium, originally built in 1929 as Red Wing Stadium — and whether or not it should be renovated or replaced. Fred’s background in banking and community service, coupled with his composed and respectful demeanor, proved essential. Under his leadership, the Red Wings successfully financed a $4.5 million renovation of Silver Stadium during the winter of 1986–87, allowing the team to remain at the historic venue for another decade before transitioning to Frontier Field. Serving as president from 1984 to 1990 and later as chairman of the board from 1991 to 1999, Fred helped guide the organization through this pivotal era, earning widespread admiration from colleagues and community members alike. His calm, respectful leadership style and unwavering commitment left an enduring legacy. Fred Strauss embodied the Basilian values of Goodness, Discipline, and Knowledge. From his formative years at Aquinas to his long career in public service and community leadership, he made a profound and lasting impact on the people and institutions around him — a true example of a life lived with purpose. THOMAS TRACY ’68 Distinguished Alumnus Born in Rochester in 1950 and raised in Greece, New York, Thomas (Tom) Tracy experienced a joyful childhood shaped by strong family values and resilience. Following the sudden passing of his father, Bill, at age 14, he found unwavering support in his mother, Betty, whom he credits as an extraordinary influence in his life. Tom attended Our Mother of Sorrows School, graduating in 1964, and then continued his education at the Aquinas Institute, graduating in 1968. During his years at Aquinas, he played basketball and baseball, but his true passion was golf—a sport he learned from his father and one that led the pair to win the New York State Father/ Son Championship in 1964. After Aquinas, Tom earned a degree in Business Administration from the University of Dayton in 1972. Upon returning to Rochester, he accepted a position at Aquinas as a business teacher and varsity golf coach. Though he enjoyed his time teaching, he soon discovered that his true calling was in the business world. In 1973, Tom joined Electronic Accounting Systems (EAS), where he developed both a technical understanding of the service bureau industry and a successful career in sales. While at EAS, he met Tom Golisano, with whom he would go on to co-found Paychex. In 1976, he opened the company’s first office in Washington, D.C., followed by offices in Baltimore, MD and Richmond, VA. When Paychex became a national company in 1979 and went public in 1983, he served as Vice President and a member of the first Board of Directors. In 1984, driven by entrepreneurial ambition, Tom left Paychex and went on to found PrimePay Inc. in 1986, a national company in the employer services industry, where he served as CEO until 2007. In 2008, alongside his three sons—Matthew, Patrick, and Ryan—he launched MPR Development LLC, which now owns and operates 13 restaurants across Florida and Northern Virginia. Throughout his career, he has remained committed to philanthropy, serving on the boards of organizations such as Trustbridge Hospice, the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club Charitable Foundation, the USO, the Wounded Warrior Project, and various scholarship trusts. He has also served as president of both the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club and the Medalist Golf Club. He currently resides in Tequesta, Florida, with his wife, Tara, and is the proud father of three sons, two stepdaughters, and five grandchildren. His legacy is marked by business success, community service, and a deep gratitude for the formative years he spent at Aquinas. MELISSA MASTERS URBAN ’96 Athletics Aquinas has always been more than a school for Melissa Masters Urban—it’s been the heart of her greatest passions, proudest moments, and lifelong relationships. A four-year member of the cheerleading program, Melissa was a two-season athlete from freshman through senior year, culminating in her role as captain of the 1996 squad that secured the first Section V title in Aquinas cheerleading history. That same year, she was honored by Section V with the Nancy Saxton Leadership Award, a fitting recognition of her drive, leadership, and commitment to her team. 18 AQUINAS LANDMARK | SUMMER 2025
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