Former West Essex High Student Passes Away After Drug Addiction

When you think about Robert Hrinuk, think about a “young man who had an unwavering faith in the value of mankind.”

The family of the West Essex High School student – who formerly lived in Fairfield – announced that the 26-year-old passed away after a struggle with drug addiction on Nov. 21.

Now his family members are trying to use Hrinuk’s tragic passing as a way to raise awareness about the effects of addiction via an online fundraising campaign.

According to the online campaign:

“Robbie struggled with drug addiction for the past several years. He had made huge progress in his last rehab facility, Grace’s Way, in West Palm Beach, FL. Sadly, one small relapse led to his death on November 21, 2015. Robbie died at 26 years old.

“We, Robbie’s family and his close friends, are astounded as to the number of children being taken from their families due to this drug epidemic. What do we do? Where do we turn?

“The possibilities to help are overwhelming and we have yet to pinpoint the best options for these donations; as you might imagine, it’s been a long week.

“In lieu of flowers, you are welcome to donate to this fund. We ensure you that all money raised will specifically go to drug awareness/rehabilitation etc.

“We are sad and heartbroken. But we also recognize that this epidemic of children dying from drugs cannot be fought on just one front. Unfortunately, money is essential to recovery. Please help us support this endeavor.”

See the full online campaign and donate here.

Hrinuk’s obituary, published here via Farmer Funeral Home, also paints a touching picture of a young man who loved nature and animals and who had an “unwavering faith in the value of mankind.”

“Robert Brett Hrinuk, 26, formerly of Fairfield, NJ died on November 21, 2015. Rob was born on September 17, 1989, attending West Essex High School and Louisiana State University. He is survived by his parents Bob and Karen and his brother Jake; grandparents Fred and Claire Hrinuk and JJ and Millie Spiess; aunts JoEllen (Rob) Limlaw, Alyson Spiess and Arlene (Mike) Szwed; uncles Ronnie (Nennette) Spiess, Roger (Mina) Spiess and Fred (Elaine) Hrinuk; cousins Lea, Jeni and Baraka Spiess, Zachary and Emily Hrinuk, and Melissa Szwed; and countless friends whose lives he touched.

“Robbie was a young man who had an unwavering faith in the value of mankind and who loved nature and animals. His heart was enormous and compassionate, everybody was welcome in his life and his personality was so joyous, you could not help but be affected by him. Robbie genuinely cared for everything and everyone. He was a huge Giants and LSU football fan. Robbie enjoyed life to its fullest and lived in every moment. Home to him was anywhere his cherished family and friends were. His beautiful smile, heart and light that shown bright within him will eternally bring happiness, peace and love to all who knew him. Robbie was a son, brother, nephew, cousin and friend, and this world is a better place for having had him in it. We keep him in our hearts until we see his beautiful smile again.

“In lieu of flowers, a go fund me page has been set up in Robbie’s memory. The money raised will be used towards helping individuals with addiction recovery. Please visit www.gofundme.com/yqcnrbk4.”