Jack (John) Richard Fruh died unexpectedly on February 3, 2025. Jack was born on April 10, 1957, in Troy, New York to John Fruh and Helen Kearney Fruh. His mom called him Jackie and his father-in-law called him Jackson.

Jack attended SUNY Oneonta where he met his wife of almost 45 years Barbara Genovese Fruh. They moved to Plainsboro, New Jersey where Jack continued his business as a fire protection contractor, eventually opening his own company Port Automatic Sprinkler. During his 26 years in business, Jack worked with countless clients across central New Jersey, including Princeton University, where he took pride in installing sprinkler systems in many historic buildings on campus.

Jack was an amazing father and his pride in his children was evident in all he did. He was a hard-working family man whose true joy was spending time with his family. Jack loved Cape Cod, Massachusetts. He spent summers there with his mom, dad, and sister from the time he was three years old. For over 45 years Jack and Barbara spent summers on the Cape with their children and family of nieces, nephew, and an incredible number of their friends. He gave us sunsets on First Encounter Beach, coffee on Fort Hill, and a magnificent ability to create a wonderful hole to lounge in on Nauset Light Beach.

Jack is survived by his wife Barbara Fruh, children Gillian Fruh and Dylan Fruh, sister Jean Fruh and her husband I. Franklin Hartman II, mother-in-law Theresa Genovese, sisters-in-law Debra Tanke and Joanne DiNovis and their husbands Robert Tanke and James DiNovis. And his beloved nieces and nephew Natalie Holland, Jenna DiNovis, Bryan DiNovis, Marisa Berke, and grandnephew Asa Levi Berke.

Jack had a wonderful love of life. If you knew him, you understood that he loved dogs, his cherished and over-washed pick-up truck, music that was made before 1979, and Wawa coffee (light and sweet). You knew his stories, his sense of humor, and his immense love for his wife and children.

A celebration of life is scheduled for Saturday March 1, 2025 from 2-4pm at The Nassau Inn located at 10 Palmer Square East in Princeton, NJ. There will be an opportunity to share stories about Jack, either via remarks or personal messages for the family to read later. In lieu of flowers, Jack's family would appreciate donations to the DNPCCNS Barbara Fruh Scholarship Fund. The Scholarship was established to celebrate Barbara's 25 years as a director of the Dutch Neck Presbyterian Nursey School and provides support to families in need. Jack was incredibly proud of this honor and the support it provides. Please see below for information regarding scholarship donations:

Mailing Checks

Please make checks payable to The First Presbyterian Church of Dutch Neck. In the memo line please note "DNPCCNS Barbara Fruh Scholarship Fund" and mail to:

The First Presbyterian Church of Dutch Neck

154 South Mill Road

West Windsor, NJ 08550

Online Donation

Donations can be made online at https://bit.ly/fruh (after you click the link, you will be redirected to the webpage for donations in 8 seconds). Please include "In Memory of Jack Fruh" in the donation notes.