John B Manning Frohling

John B. Manning Frohling, 91, of Jersey City; formerly of Princeton; entered into eternal rest on Monday, September 19, 2022.  John was a very good athlete and received a Soft Ball Scholarship for a postgraduate year at Lawrenceville High School, where he graduated in 1951.  He proceeded to graduate with a degree in geology from Yale University in 1955 through the ROTC program.  His geology professor told him, “if you promise never to tell anyone where you graduated from I’ll let you pass.”  John always would say when asked where he graduated would say, “a small college in Connecticut.” 

Commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army Artillery, he served in the 48th Battalion, 7th division on the DMZ zone in Korea.  He quickly rose to 1st Lieutenant for his leadership skills, having helped to resolve racial tension threatening stability of the unit. While there, he volunteered to represent military personnel being tried at Court Marshall proceedings. This experience encouraged him to take the LSATS and go into the practice of Law. He proceeded to earn his Juris Prudence from Georgetown law school in 1960 graduating first in his class.  He earned the attention and won the respect of all major law firms when he argued a securities law case in front of the Supreme Court and won, resulting in the changing of case law that still holds. He was the first lawyer ever to practice securities law in the state of New Jersey where, he established his Law Firm, Frohling and Hudak, in Newark New Jersey, specialists in bond counsel services for financing educational facilities, public utilities, and other capital projects, where he reigned for over 50 years.

John's creativity and open mindedness did not center only around law.  He opened Snow Valley, a formerly abandoned ski resort in Southern Vermont which later held the First National Snowboard Championships on its slopes in 1983 when no other resorts would allow them on their mountain. He turned a Tennis Club into a private residence in Cape Cod, where he loved playing tennis and boating.

His love of the arts led him to cofound a community Arts program at Victory Hall in downtown Jersey City where he served as President.  He was quoted in the local paper “I’m not an artist, but I recognize that art brings balance to the universe.” He also served on the Board of Advisors for the Jersey City Theater Center and worked towards helping their funding.  He purchased Gallerie Hudson, currently owned by his stepson Henry Greenfield, a custom frame and fine art shop in 2014, which he used as a platform to help promote local artists.

His love of community inspired him to form an LLC so an abandoned lot on Sussex Street could become a parking lot for 40 families in Paulus Hook.

His deep faith led him to volunteer at Our Lady of Częstochowa to increase the congregation, served as a weekly lector at St Nicholas R.C. Church and worked on their finance committee.

His love to uplift and recognize people led him to volunteer for the Veterans Parade Committee and the Mayor’s Veterans Affairs Task Force.

His quest for justice found him arguing against PPG’s army of attorneys where he succeeded in helping them be held accountable to clean up the contaminated grounds in the Bergen Lafayette section of Jersey City. This helped clear the way so Berry Lane Park could be built, where he also volunteered.

He was a tireless volunteer and counsel for affordable housing with the Morris Canal Redevelopment Corporation, former President for the Essex County Drug and Alcohol Addiction, counsel to the Paulus Hook Neighborhood Association where he helped the neighborhood deal with the developers when Colgate sold its land. Founding member and former President of The Learning Community Charter school.  He also volunteered for the Apple Tree House and Friends of Pershing Field.

His interests in public service led him to be consultant to Mayors Glen Cunningham, Jeremiah Healy and Steven Fulop. John received a proclamation from Jersey City and Mayor Steven Fulop, recognizing his service to the city as well as a citation from Ward D. Councilman Yused Saleh. These were presented to him on September 1, 2021, on his 90th Birthday.

John is the beloved spouse of Mary Jean; devoted father of Nancy, Michael, Marie, and John; and devoted stepfather of Steve, Wendy, Jay, Tyler, Henry, and Adam; a cherished brother of Marie, Betty, and Lucien, and to the late Edward, Lucille, and Agnes; and is survived by 8 treasured grandchildren; and by scores of loving nieces, nephews, cousins. 

He enjoyed playing tennis, golf, dining with friends and traveling with his wife, Mary Jean, and everywhere he went someone would call out “Is that John Frohling?” He was loved by many, many, many people.  His mark was indelible and the ripple effect enduring.

Visitation is Saturday, September 24, 2022 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Riotto Funeral Home & Cremation Company, 3205 Kennedy Blvd. Jersey City, NJ. (For GPS navigation, it is best to use our parking lot address: 14 Stagg Street).  Funeral mass will follow at 1:00 PM at St. Nicholas Church, 122 Ferry Street, Jersey City.  Cremation will be private.  In lieu of flowers, donations will be accepted by the family to help cover the cost of funeral expenses. A memorial service will take place on September 1, 2023 at 9:45 AM at St. Paul Roman Catholich Church , 124 Union Ave. Clifton, NJ 07011.