Richard
Kenneth
Fruin
Richard Kenneth "Rich" Fruin of Wall Township NJ passed away peacefully on May 8, 2022 at the age of 80 in The Villages, Florida. Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY to parents Annie (Walsh) and William Fruin, Rich loved his Park Slope neighborhood and his parish of St Teresa of Avila.
He received a BA in political science from Iona University where he played basketball and went on to acquire two Master's Degrees.
In 1963 Rich enlisted in and proudly served his country in the US Navy. After being honorably discharged, he served in the Air Force Reserve for seven years. He then served in the Army Reserve for more than twenty years and retired at the rank of Major.
Rich served the City of New York as a police officer for twenty years. He began his career in "The Fighting 79th Precinct", went on to several task forces before joining the youth squad. He spent most of his career in the Intelligence Division fighting organized crime. Toward the end of his career, he was assigned to Governor Hugh Carey's security detail and later he finished his career as a Lieutenant in the Highway Division.
Rich had a tremendous love for sports, playing basketball right up to the college level and baseball his whole, life often reminding his family that he pitched to Joe Torre and Joe Pepitone. He would often bring his cousins to Army/Navy football games and college basketball games.
He loved the beach and appreciated all types of music. He had a tremendous loyalty to family and his selflessness will not be forgotten. As an only child, Rich was predeceased by his mother, Annie, whom he admired and loved. He is survived by his best friend and companion Ann Boylan who was by his side during his most difficult time; his cousins Kathleen Mahoney, Grace, Ken, Dave, Bob and Lori Collum, Cathy Dolan, Bill and Jay Fruin, his nieces Christine and Marianne and twenty grandnieces and nephews.
Visitation will be on Sunday, May 15, 2022, from 1-5 pm at the O'Brien Funeral Home, 2028 Hwy 35 at New Bedford Rd., Wall. Funeral Mass will be Monday, May 16, 10:30am at St Margaret's Church, 300 Ludlow Ave., Spring Lake NJ. Committal will be private. For more information or to send condolences please visit www.obrienfuneralhome.com.