Published: June 14, 2009 11:35 pm      

Ebensburg attorney retiring after 57 years

EBENSBURG — Attorney Fremont J. McKenrick is wrapping up a legal career spanning 57 years in a field into which – one might say – he was born.

He’s following in the footsteps of his grandfather, Joseph, and his father, Ivan, both lawyers.

His grandfather was district attorney in Clearfield County before moving to Ebensburg and opening a law office at 109 S. Center St. in the 1880s.

Ivan McKenrick joined his father there, although the building that housed the offices was destroyed in a fire in 1913. The brick-and-brownstone building that replaced it was constructed in 1915 and has become a landmark just a short walk up the street from the Cambria County Courthouse.

Fremont McKenrick admits that he did have thoughts of becoming a musician. He was born with perfect pitch, began playing the piano at age 8 and just “picked up” how to play an organ by watching his father – the former longtime organist at Ebensburg Presbyterian Church. Ivan was the church organist for 35 years, and then Fremont took on that responsibility in 1954 – a duty he still handles today.

But following the advice of a father – who was a county judge from 1923 to 1960, Fremont ended up in the practice of law.

Now, the Ebensburg lawyer

– who turns 86 on Friday – says it’s time to retire from the legal profession. As of June 30, his office will be closed.

But he’s not ready to slow down. In addition to continuing as church organist, McKenrick will have more time to enjoy some of his favorite pastimes

– sailing, kayaking, target shooting and cross-country skiing, often with his wife of 59 years, the former Margaret Jones.

His legal career has been a varied one, including wills, estate and real estates transfers as well as criminal law.

He was a part-time assistant district attorney for seven years, the county’s chief public defender from 1972 to 1976 and county solicitor for one year before serving as solicitor for a former county controller, the late Bob McCormick, for 24 years.

He said that he never wanted to run for judge, saying that he enjoys being an advocate for clients.

“My biggest case was the Barnhart case. It was such an unusual, novel one and involved a question never really settled because the U.S. Supreme Court refused to accept it.”

The Barnharts, a northern Cambria County couple who believed in prayer and faith-healing, were convicted in 1983 of child endangerment and involuntary manslaughter for not seeking medical treatment for a 2-year-old son who died of cancerous Wilms tumor. It attracted nationwide publicity.

Although the courts held the parents had a duty to seek medical care for their child, McKenrick still believes it was a First Amendment case in which the parents were exercising their freedom of religion.

Ironically, District Attorney Patrick Kiniry, who once was an assistant to McKenrick in the public defender’s office, was the assistant prosecutor assigned to the Barnhart case.

“I learned the ropes of the criminal justice system from him. He’s very low-key and taught by example. I never saw him ruffled, never saw him get mad. It was a pleasure to try a case with him or against him,” Kiniry said.

McKenrick also chuckled about a case in which a defendant’s gold tooth ended up being a critical piece of evidence against him.

“I think it was one of the old ‘F & B’ cases (fornication and bastardy), and the woman testified that the guy had a gold tooth. When my guy took the stand, you could see that tooth shining,” he said.

His reputation for integrity and honesty led President Gerard Long to turn to McKenrick a few years ago to oversee the phasing out of the law practice of a Johnstown lawyer accused of stealing clients’ money.

“His honesty has never been questioned. He’s always courteous and carries out his duties to his clients,” Long said.