Ace Frehley Laid to Rest in Private New York Ceremony

Ace Frehley, the co-founder and original guitarist of the legendary rock band KISS, has been laid to rest. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer was buried in his hometown of New York City on Wednesday, during a solemn ceremony attended by close friends, family, and his former bandmates Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, and Peter Criss.

SiriusXM host Eddie Trunk shared the news on Instagram following the service, writing, “Ace Frehley has now been laid to rest in Bronx, NY. It has been an emotional couple of days to say the least, saying farewell to a rock icon and long-time friend.” He added that the intimate gatherings went as well as could be expected and were attended by a small group of family and close friends, including the three surviving original members of KISS.

In a video shared on social media, Trunk further reflected on the private memorial and funeral. “Of course, where he grew up, very close to where his parents were buried, which were his wishes,” he explained regarding Frehley’s decision to be buried in the Bronx. “It was not a big event by any means. Nothing with fans or anything like that, just a very small private service for Ace. And it was attended by the three surviving members of KISS – Gene, Paul, and Peter.”

Trunk, who has been a longtime friend of Frehley’s, described the gathering as “wonderful to celebrate Ace and remember him and give him a good sendoff.” He also revealed plans to organize a fan tribute concert to honor the guitar legend, saying, “I think he’d love that and I think he deserves that.”

Ace Frehley passed away on October 16 in Morristown, New Jersey, at the age of 74. Although the cause of death has not been officially disclosed, his representative Lori Lousararian attributed it to a “recent fall at his home.”

In a heartfelt statement, Frehley’s loved ones expressed their sorrow: “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. 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.”

Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley also paid tribute to their late bandmate in an emotional joint message: “We are devastated by the passing of Ace Frehley. He was an essential and irreplaceable rock soldier during some of the most formative foundational chapters of the band and its history. He is and will always be a part of KISS’s legacy. Our thoughts are with Jeanette, Monique, and all those who loved him, including our fans around the world.”

Prior to his passing, it was reported that Frehley had been placed on life support with a brain bleed following a fall he suffered weeks earlier in his studio. The “New York Groove” artist had referenced the incident last month when he canceled a performance in California due to “a minor fall in his studio” that required a hospital visit. Subsequently, he canceled the remaining dates of his 2025 tour, citing “ongoing medical issues” stemming from the fall.

Known by the nicknames “Spaceman” and “Space Ace,” Frehley co-founded KISS in 1973 alongside Simmons, Stanley, and Criss. Although he left the band in 1982 to pursue a successful solo career, he reunited with KISS for a 1996 tour and remained with them until 2002.

In August, KISS made headlines when they were announced as 2025 Kennedy Center honorees. Reflecting on the honor at the time, Frehley told TMZ, “A dream come true that I never thought would materialize.”

Following Frehley’s death, Simmons lamented that his friend would not be able to attend the awards ceremony. “Our hearts are broken. Ace has passed on,” he wrote on X last week. “No one can touch Ace’s legacy. I know he loved the fans. He told me many times. Sadder still, Ace didn’t live long enough to be honored at the Kennedy Center Honors event in Dec. Ace was the eternal rock soldier. Long may his legacy live on!”

Ace Frehley’s contributions to rock music and KISS’s enduring legacy will be remembered by fans and fellow musicians alike for generations to come.
https://nypost.com/2025/10/23/entertainment/kiss-co-founders-attend-ace-frehleys-private-funeral/