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Obituary

 

John Phillip Fruguglietti could light a room with his smile and warm it with his laughter. J.P.’s charm was legendary -- as was his loyalty to his family and friends. Just four months ago he married Ashley Whitney, the love of his life. Early Tuesday morning a tragic accident took him from Ashley, his family, and all of us who loved him. John Phillip had just turned 28 years old.
J.P. was the first child born to Ralph and Anne Fruguglietti and the first grandchild born to Phillip and Roberta Zachary and he was adored and doted upon from the day of his birth. Some of the biggest “doters” were his aunts -- Jane Zachary, Melinda Zachary Martin and Susan Zachary Mulligan.
As the years went by and more babies were born J.P. became the fearless leader of a band of siblings (Anthony, Katina and Theresa) and 17 cousins. Through harrowing adventures and amusing escapades J.P. managed to “never leave a man behind.” To the other kids in the family he became, and remained, the epitome of “cool.”
John Phillip attended North Kern Christian School in Wasco followed by Bakersfield Christian High School. He was a stand-out athlete and one of the few defensive players to ever be named Most Valuable Player of the BCHS football team. He was also a top competitor in track and field, winning discus competitions up and down the state. He continued to compete in track for Bakersfield College and then Cal State University Bakersfield.
J.P. loved his wife completely, but there was one more “woman” in his life -- his 1-year-old niece Sofie Grace Fruguglietti. In fact, after he was given a T-shirt with Sophie’s picture and the words “I love My Uncle J.P.” on it, it was very difficult to get him to wear anything else. J.P. worked for many years for the family restaurant -- Frugatti’s Italian Eatery. Always poised under pressure, when a Frugatti’s customer started chocking one night, J.P. used the Heimlich Maneuver to save him. This experience was so meaningful for him he decided to begin training to become an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).
But more important than any professional occupation was who he was as a person; a person who would drop everything to help someone he loved. Whether it was a depressed friend or an aunt with pneumonia, J.P. was right there, ready to do what he could to make things better. Over the past several months J.P. played a key role in caring for his beloved grandfather through a terminal illness.
What sustains us through our loss is the knowledge that J.P. and his “Gampy” are together again, only waiting for us to join them.
John Phillip is survived by his wife, Ashley; parents, Ralph and Anne Fruguglietti; his grandmother Roberta Zachary: his brother Anthony Fruguglietti, wife Ashley and daughter Sofie; his sister Katina Fruguglietti Esposito, and husband Jessey; sister Theresa Fruguglietti; aunt Jane Zachary; aunt Susan Mulligan and husband Mike; aunt Melinda Martin and husband Greg; aunt Lisa Lindgren and husband Jeff; aunt Lina and uncle Paul Rago; brother-in-law, J.C. Whitney. He is also survived by cousins Zachary Colbert, Rachel Colbert, Macdonald Colbert, Andrew Martin, Robbie Martin, Caroline Martin, Luke Martin, Mackenzie Mulligan, Oliver Mulligan, Kaley Mulligan, Cameron Mulligan, Kristina Mulligan, Jacob Mulligan, Phillip Mulligan, Fernando Mulligan, Brian Lindgren, Jason Lindgren, Katy Lindgren, Rosann Maddon and Alfred Rago.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Congregational Bible Church of Shafter. 430 E. Tulare Avenue, Shafter, CA 93263
A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 12, 2011 at 11am at Congregational Bible Church.