Fruge remembered as historian, good dancer

Matthias “Jimmy” Fruge, a native of Eunice who passed away last week, will be remembered as a historian and upstanding member of the Eunice community by those who knew him.
“He was a real gentleman, real nice,” said former Eunice Mayor Curtis Joubert. “He was a great dancer, too. He loved to dance at social functions.”
“He called me often to discuss the history of the town. He was an interesting guy. He knew a lot about the older buildings in town and who built them. He was a walking historian of Eunice.”
Fruge passed away Friday, May 1, and a Memorial Mass was celebrated on Monday.
Fruge was born Sept. 15, 1924, to Matthias James Fruge and Ethel Manuel Fruge. After graduating from Eunice High School in 1941, he attended Louisiana State University before joining the Army after the start of World War II. Fruge served in Austria, Czechoslovakia and Germany and was later honorably discharged from the service. Following his honorable discharge, he served in the Louisiana National Guard. Fruge worked in the south Louisiana banking industry for almost 50 years in positions at Acadiana Bank, Tri-Parish Bank and First Bank of Eunice.
He was a member of the American Legion and served as adjutant for one year. He was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and served as Quartermaster. Fruge was a past president of the Lion’s Club, a parishioner of St. Anthony Parish, a Charter member of the Eunice Jaycees, a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus, Rotary Club member and helped organize the 75th celebration of the founding of Eunice.
Fruge is survived by his children, Mat Fruge III, Lydia F. Fontenot and Janene F. Cormier and her husband Bryant, all of Eunice, and several grandchildren. His first wife was the late Irene Berzas Fruge, and his second wife was the late Jaqueline Bell Fruge. Fruge also had a daughter, Charlotte Fruge and a brother, Dr. Benny Fruge, who are also deceased.
Joubert said Fruge had recently moved back to the Eunice area, and the two had visited during the Mardi Gras holiday.
“He was excited to be back,” he said. “We had always been friends, and we often exchanged ideas. He called me when he moved out of town. I think he really missed the Eunice area quite a bit.”
Warner Veillon, chairman of the board at Tri-Parish Bank, recalled one of his earliest memories with Fruge.
“He was scoutmaster my Knights of Columbus troop when I was about 10,” Veillion said. “Jimmy was a good man, through and through. He was one of the most Christian gentlemen I had ever met. He was kind to everyone. He never said an ill word about anyone and never said anything negative to anyone. He was accommodating and enjoyable. He was a true Christian.”
Later in life, Veillon found himself working with Fruge at Tri-Parish Bank.
“I came on in 1973, and I think he was working here then,” he said. “He started working for the bank with his dad, Matthias Fruge Sr., at the old location on Second Street.”
“He was very dedicated to serving his country, his church and his family. He was also an excellent employee.”