Frank A. Rumick, Jr.

The world lost a bright light Tuesday, June 10, 2025 when Frank Rumick Jr., age 75, of Millville, left us to take a position high above where he will watch over and protect his earthbound family.

Frank was one of a kind - loving, caring, dedicated and obsessed with caring for his family. For the past 17 years, his focus has been his grandchildren - Jonathan (17), Carly (15) and Jake (11).

Born in Philadelphia, Frank's family relocated to Collings Lakes, NJ when he was 7. He was a 1967 graduate of Vineland High School. Shortly thereafter, he was drafted and proudly served in the US Army where he spent the majority of his service assigned to the Pentagon as a special assistant to a Major General. He was proud to be the poster model for "the new Army haircut policy" in 1970 which allowed servicemen to wear longer hairstyles.

Frank's professional career took many turns, with the last decades finding him serving as a construction project manager for several large firms. But his true profession was caretaker of his family. He was a dedicated and loving husband to wife Linda for 36 years. He was a loving and proud "Daddy" to his daughter and Princess, Dana Ruegger (Matt) and a caring "Dad" to stepdaughter, Victoria Springsteen. His world exploded with a new-found ability to love unconditionally following the births of his three grandchildren: Jonathan, Carly and Jake Ruegger. "Grandpop" retired shortly after Jonathan was born 17 years ago and from that moment on, he structured his life and days around the needs and activities of his grandchildren. He cared for them before they were old enough to go to school and once they were in school, he structured his days around picking them up, feeding them and delivering them to their parents at the end of the day.

During those years, Frank discovered his creative side with a passion for cooking. He studied recipes, watched cooking programs daily and honed his skills to the joy of his family. He was a planner and he typically had plans laid out a week in advance regarding the grandchildren's schedules and daily meals for himself and Linda. Of course, frequently, those meals included the grandchildren. He rarely missed a sporting event, gymnastics competition or dance recital unless something large stood in the way. His grandchildren were the center of his universe. Some of his most cherished memories were those made on family vacations annually to Williamsburg, Va. and Palm Harbor, Fla.

Frank served on a number of service and charitable boards as well, including as President of the Rotary Club of Vineland. Other boards included the RCSJ Education Foundation, Salvation Army and Habitat for Humanity advisory boards, and the Gift of Life Foundation. In 2018, he was awarded the Donchez Award from the Salvation Army and was designated as a Hometown Hero.

An avid golfer, Frank was always making tee times and scheduling foursomes. He played frequently with Linda, and more recently with grandsons, Jonathan and Jake. Frank was an avid sports fan who had an uncanny recall of sports facts - regarding many different sports and teams.

To know Frank was to be his friend. He loved people and his caring was felt and accepted by so very many. To honor Frank, we ask that you keep him alive in your memories and that you try to be "a little like Frank" - caring for so many and adoring and loving your family as he did. Please hug those you love and make sure they know that you are always there for them. Our hearts are broken, but we are blessed to have been loved by this remarkable person. We will carry on his legacy by being the best we can be in his honor.

Frank was predeceased by his parents, Frank A. Rumick, Sr. and Laura Ann (Ellis) Rumick; his brothers Robert Gazak and David Rumick, and brother-in-law, Manuel Leon. In addition to family included above, Frank is survived by brother-in-law Robert Leon, niece Michele Leon, nephew Manuel Leon, great-niece Whitney Leon and sister-in-law Donna Rumick. He is also survived by his two beloved Pugs, Scooter and Ted E. Bear.

A visitation will be held Tuesday, June 17, 2025 from 5:00-7:00 pm from the Wainwright-Bernhardt Funeral Home, 1024 E. Landis Avenue, Vineland, NJ. In lieu of flowers, we ask that contributions be made to Abandoned Angels Cocker Spaniel Rescue, through the Donate link at nyabondonedangels.com Frank and Linda adopted through this wonderful organization.

Please visit www.wbfuneralhome.com to send online condolences to the family.

Arrangements are by the Wainwright-Bernhardt Funeral Home, Vineland.