Obituary of Rino V. Frulla

Warrensburg: Rino Victor Frulla, 77, of Sanford Street, passed away, Tuesday, September 26, 2006, at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany following complications from surgery. Born May 6, 1929, in New Boston, Massachusetts, he was the son of the late Edward James and Ida (Betti) Frulla. Drafted into the U.S. Army in 1950 at the onset of the Korean War, Mr. Frulla’s war years, 1950-1952, were spent on the battle lines. He was a long-time member of the American Legion, Warrensburg Post No. 421. Following his honorable discharge, he returned to Warrensburg, married Jean Hinckley, his loving wife of 53 years. With the aid of the G.I. Bill, he entered Hudson Valley Technical Institute, graduating in 1957, with an A.A.S. degree. From there, he moved on to S.U.N.Y. Oswego, earning a B.S. degree in Education in 1959. Mr. Frulla spent his entire 32-year career in education in the Lake George school system. He was first employed as an industrial arts teacher in 1959. He then commenced his graduate studies at S.U.N.Y. Albany, while working full time. Upon completion of his Masters degree in Guidance, he became a junior high guidance counselor at Lake George. This was followed by additional graduate course-work at S.U.N.Y. Albany in School Administration. He served as interim high school principal on two occasions, including at the time of his retirement in 1991. He was a member of various teachers and guidance associations. Starting in 1959, during his summer vacations from teaching, Mr. Frulla worked on the Lake George Boat Patrol in its formative years, gaining an intimate knowledge of the lake. He maintained an abiding love of the Adirondacks and its lakes in particular, largely building his family’s house on Loon Lake by himself during the 1970’s. He played in the 1000 Acres Golf League for nearly three decades, winning the championship with his long-time partner and friend, Bob Ross, in 2005. His years of community service included 24 years as an elected Warrensburg Town Councilman. He was a founding member and past president of the Adirondack J.C.’s, as well as a member and past president of the Warrensburg Chamber of Commerce. From there, he moved on to many years as a member of Hudson Headwaters Health Network’s Board of Directors. During his tenure, he served as Chairman of the Board and chaired many of its committees. He was proud of the how HHHN was able to grow and serve the needs of so many small communities. He was also a member of the Board of Directors of the HHHN Consortium and of CompreCare. He is survived by his wife, Jean, of Warrensburg, and his son, David Earl of Washington, D.C., as well as David’s family, including David’s wife, Lisa Lyons Frulla, and children, David Everett and Grace Lyons. Mr. Frulla’s grandchildren took special joy in his presence. Mr. Frulla was predeceased by his brothers Roy, Everett, Maurice, Libro, and Floro, as well as his sister Libra. Surviving siblings include his brother, Robert Frulla of Naples, Florida; and his sisters Mary Dirga of Granville, and Libra Parry of Claremont, New Hampshire. Friends may call on the family from 5-8 pm today (Thursday) at the Alexander-Baker Funeral Home, 3809 Main Street, Warrensburg. Warrensburg town board members and town employees will gather and pay their respects at 7 pm followed by HHHN staff members at 7:15 pm today at the funeral home. Funeral services will be held on Friday morning at 11:00 A.M. at the Warrensburg First United Methodist Church, Main Street, Warrensburg, with the Reverend Dawn Robbins, Pastor, officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow at the Warrensburg Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may take the form of donations to the Remembrance Fund at the Hudson Headwaters Health Network, One Broad St. Plaza, Glens Falls, NY 12801 and the Richards Library Building Fund, 36 Elm St., Warrensburg, NY 12885. Visit www.alexanderfuneralhomes.com for online guest book, condolences and directions.