Robert Thomas Frucci, Jr.

Robert Thomas Frucci, Jr., 39, died on July 13, 2025.

Born and raised in Belleville, New Jersey to the late Jeanne “Sue” Marino and Robert Sr., he was a lifelong Belleville resident graduating from Belleville High School in 2004.

Rob may have been an only child, but had enough friends and cousins that he was never alone. His mother moved them back home to Fairway Avenue where the house was always full of aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and neighbors. Rob enjoyed spending every day in the summer with his cousins and taking trips with his friends (supervised his uncle Joe) as he got older. They spent time on dirt bikes, four wheeling, going to the shore, and countless sporting events, just to name a few. He loved his hometown and his Italian heritage, spending time riding his bike around the neighborhood, playing kick ball, he was always the funniest one in the group. He was a New York Yankees baseball and an avid New York Giants football fan. Rob found a peace at home around the table with his mom, grandparents, and whoever came by sharing good food and stories. The memories of Rob during the best of his life will last those who love him a lifetime.

Love knows no bounds, and Robert was immensely loved. He lost his best friend Sam in a tragic car accident, which he struggled to cope with. In 2012 he lost his mother, Sue, quickly to cancer. Rob had to bear a life without them and found it hard to find a new normal. Although his path was rough through this loss and in the years after, he tried his hardest to recover. Rob lost his Nana in 2019 and tried to find some hope in working hard to be the best version of himself. He moved out to Arizona to get well and have a shot at a stable life. Rob worked hard on his physical health and helping others every day in recovery through mentorship and counseling. If love could have saved him, he would have never died.

He is preceded in death by his beloved Nana, Adeline “Phyllis” and Popop, Gelardo Marino, his adoring mother, Jeanne “Sue” Marino, and his father Robert Frucci, Sr.

Surviving are his loving aunts and uncles, Jerry and Eileen Marino, Barbara “Bobbie” Sweetman, Sal and Stephanie Marino, Margaret Marino, and Joe and Jackie Marino, his dear cousins, Michelle and Billy Prosperi, Kimberly Sweetman, Angie and Gino Cabanilla, Kenny and Dee Sweetman, Lindsay and Dan Henry, Lauren Bowser, and their children, Joey, Julia, Ariana, Ava, Sophia, Jake, Khloe, Corinne, Claire, and Colin, as well as his extended family and friends.

Robert and Sue used  “42” in memory of Sam, and carried it with him. Remember them in the “42” you see around your life as a sign of their peace.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Queen of Peace at 9:45 AM on Saturday, August 2nd 2025, 10 Franklin Pl., North Arlington, NJ 07031 and inurnment will follow at Holy Cross Mausoleum, North Arlington.

Please leave photos and condolences for his family sharing the best memories of his life.