Vinicio "Vinnie" Fruet, 89, of State Line Road in West Stockbridge passed away on Saturday, September 4, 2010 at his home.

A native of Levico, Trentino, Italy, he was born on June 1, 1921 one of four children of Pietro and Paolina Fruet Fruet. The family came to this country in 1927. He attended local schools and graduated from Pittsfield High School.

Vinnie enlisted in the United States Navy on October 28, 1940 and was honorably discharged on April 9, 1941.

He was a former Chief of Police in West Stockbridge in the 1950's before going to work as an officer with the Stockbridge Police Department in the 1960's. He was a sheet metal worker at Harland B. Foster in Great Barrington in the late 1960's. Throughout the 1970's and early 1980's Vinnie owned and operated a lawn mower repair business in West Stockbridge as well as worked as a mechanic for the Massachusetts State Police. Following his retirement he worked part-time at Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home in Great Barrington.

A communicant of St. Patrick's Church in West Stockbridge, he was a former member of the Board of Health in West Stockbridge and the Knights of Columbus in Great Barrington.

Vinnie cherished spending time with family and friends. He participated in many church activities which was a very important part of his life.

He is survived by his two daughters Anne M. Boyer of Lee, MA and Pauline Arienti and her husband Richard of West Stockbridge, MA. He also leaves his sister Domenica Boison of Pittsfield, MA, his granddaughter Lisa Parchment and her husband Nigel, his grandson Stephen Arienti and his wife Jennifer, his great granddaughter, Ena Parchment, three sisters in law Clementine Fruet of Pittsfield, Josephine Dellea of West Stockbridge and Alice Dellea of Lee, along with several nieces and nephews and his long time companion Eunice Panzeri.

He was predeceased by his wife of 46 years, the former Marcella Dellea on April 21, 1992. The couple was married on April 28, 1945 at St. Patrick's Church in West Stockbridge. He was also predeceased by his two brothers Ezio Fruet and Adolfo Fruet and his sister-in-law Charlotte Meneghini Fruet.

Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, September 9, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Patrick's Church in West Stockbridge, conducted by Rev. C.J. Waitkus, pastor. Burial with Military Honors will follow at St. Patrick's Cemetery in West Stockbridge.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, September 8, 2010 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home in Great Barrington.

Those who wish may make memorial contributions to either HospiceCare in the Berkshires or St. Patrick's Church through Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230. Remembrances, memories, and reflections may be sent to the family through this link.