William “Bill” Frank Fruin, 75, of North Haven, Conn., passed away peacefully on Oct. 1 at his cottage on Damariscotta Lake in Jefferson. Born in New Haven, Conn. on Nov. 3, 1934, Bill was the son of the late William and Mary (Kwieraga) Fruin.
Bill graduated from East Haven High School in 1955 and worked in construction for Connecticut Carpenters Local #24 until his retirement in the 1980s. Bill owned and operated Speedy Saw Service, which he built in 1984. Bill also operated a Christmas Tree farm on his home property during the 1980s until the early 1990s.
In his early years, Bill enjoyed tie-flying, blue fishing, clam digging and camping with his family in Charleston, R.I. In the 1970s Bill planned and ran Muscular Dystrophy carnivals, which contributed a significant donation to the Jerry Lewis Telethons in honor of his son Billy Fruin. He assisted with the Boy Scout Troop 808 with the Quinnipiac Council. Bill was a fan of the Boston Red Sox and Connecticut Husky basketball, PGA golf, and NASCAR.
In his spare time he enjoyed building model boats, racing his gas powered remote control boats, and fishing. He also liked playing the slots at casinos in Connecticut, Maine and Florida. He is a member of NRA and Elm City Gun Club. Bill is a communicant of St. Therese Church.
Bill wintered in Port Charlotte, Fla. but was happiest when in Maine, as he spent most childhood vacations fishing and hunting with his father, mother and brothers at their summer cottage on Damariscotta Lake. In 2007 Bill and his wife Barbara celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary by sailing the Penobscot Bay aboard the Victory Chimes 3-masted schooner.
Bill was predeceased by his son, Billy; and brother, John.
He is survived by his wife Barbara; daughters, Bella Brauch of Canaan, Vt. and Mary Jane (Curt) Dubert of Griswold, Ct.; son, Joseph and wife Linda Fruin of North Haven, Ct.; brother, Robert and wife Ann Fruin of Branford, Cot.; and eight grandchildren, Mary Brauch, Sarah Brauch, Rebecca Brauch, Miah Dubert, Morgan Dubert, Isabel Dubert, Joseph Fruin and Hannah Fruin; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Funeral procession will leave the North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Ave., 10:30 a.m., Thurs., Oct. 7. Mass of Christian Burial 11 a.m. in St. Therese Church. Interment will follow in All Saints Cemetery. Visiting hours 5-8 p.m., Wed., Oct. 6.
Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 538 Preston Ave., Meriden, CT 06450 or Muscular Dystrophy Association, 3300 East Sunrise Dr., Tucson, AZ 85718.
Condolences for the family may be expressed by visiting www.StrongHancock.com.
Local arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
