William Frueh

William H. Frueh, Jr., 70, of Delmar, died Saturday, February 9, 2013 at home. He was born in Albany on August 21, 1942, the son of the late Dorothy (Molter) and William H. Frueh, Sr. The most important things in Bill's life were church, family, teaching, and historical activities. Bill was a faithful member of Bethlehem Community Church for over forty years, serving as an elder for many years. He worked as a social worker for nearly forty years at Northeast Career Planning in Menands, demonstrating to his clients and to the world that a disability need not be a handicap. Bill was a reenactor extraordinaire, fondly known at both eighteenth and nineteenth century reenactments as "the blind drummer." Bill got his start in reenacting in 1960 when he joined the Village Volunteers in Delmar. This experience led to membership in numerous organizations, including the Sons and Daughters of Liberty Fife and Drum Corps, the historic singing group Rural Felicity, the 13th Regiment Albany County Militia, the Burning of the Valleys Military Association, the 77th NY Volunteer Infantry, the Capital District Civil War Round Table, the New York Archives Partnership Trust, and the Knox Historical Society where he served as vice-president. He was a staunch supporter of Colonial Williamsburg and the Civil War Trust. A consummate educator, Bill relished doing historical programs for school children and civic groups whenever the opportunity arose. He was a fixture at the Mabee Farm Historical Site in Rotterdam Junction, and conducted three very popular classes at the Heldeberg Workshop in Voorheesville for many years. He delighted in presenting life in the eighteenth century to students through school demonstrations, especially at Canajoharie, Schalmont, Schoharie, and Pieter B. Coeymans schools. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Frueh of Delmar; children, Charles Frueh (Shyra Murphy) of Geneva, NY, Nellie Bradley (Edward) of Delmar and Sarah Frueh of Delmar, and grandsons William and Jacob Bradley of Delmar; and step-children Rebecca Scanlon of Niskayuna, and Eric Scanlon of East Berne. He was predeceased by his dear wife of 37 years, Donna L. Frueh. The family wishes to thank Dr. Wu and Lisa Wolf, PA and all of the staff at New York Oncology Hematology for the loving care and positive attitudes they displayed over the past four years. We are also deeply grateful for the outstanding care provided by Dr. Yip and Dr. Heckman, and all of the staff at Saint Peter's Hospital. A funeral service will be held at 11:30 am Saturday at the Bethlehem Community Church, 201 Elm Avenue, Delmar. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the church on Saturday from 9:30 to 11:30 am. Burial will be in St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, Colonie. Those who wish may send a remembrance in his name to the Missions Fund at Bethlehem Community Church, 201 Elm Avenue, Delmar, NY 12054.