THE REVEREND PHILIP SINCLAIR KRUG

1927 - 2015

KRUG, The Reverend Philip Sinclair Died on March 11th at Villa Marie Claire Hospice in Saddle River, New Jersey after several months of declining health. Philip was born in Elwood, Indiana on December 22nd, 1927, the only child of Floyd P.F. Krug and Dr. Inda (Sinclair) Krug. He received a B.A. in 1949 from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and a M.Div. in 1952 from Yale Divinity School. He married Lee Albert in 1951, moved to Massachusetts a year later, and was ordained a priest in the Episcopal Church in 1953 by Bishop Norman Nash. After a curacy at Christ Church, Cambridge, Massachusetts, Philip was called to St. Peter's Church in Weston, Massachusetts where he served as rector for 18 years (1957 -1975). For the next 18 years (1975-1994) he served as rector of St. Paul's in Montvale, New Jersey. In 2003 he was appointed Priest Associate at Christ Church, Hackensack, which observed the 50th anniversary of his ordination. He was often the celebrant of the Eucharist and preacher, wrote weekly meditations, provided pastoral care, and worked in adult education. Philip's commanding presence was complemented by his gentle heart and sharp wit. His inspiring sermons connected the gospel to the actual concerns and struggles of his parishioners. Throughout his ministry he took a progressive stand on a variety of social justice issues, including civil rights, gay rights, and the ordination of women. He also worked in fundraising, seminary education, convocation chairmanships, and the planning of diocesan worship. He was particularly proud of his twenty years of service as Chaplain to the Montvale Volunteer Fire Department. He also served as Chaplain for the Plaza-at-Mill-Pond assisted living facility in Park Ridge, New Jersey, where he was affectionately known as "Pastor Phil." Active in religious radio in Boston from 1955 until 1973, Fr. Krug was also a member of various local and diocesan groups in both Massachusetts and New Jersey. He published frequently in The Christian Ministry, a national magazine, and in The Voice, a publication of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark. After his retirement, Fr. Krug's ministry included several interim appointments and Sunday coverage at local parishes. He served his Yale Divinity School seminary class, being asked to speak on the pastorate and on preaching at their 50th reunion, becoming class agent in 2005, and serving on the 55th reunion committee. He is remembered as an avid theatre-goer and world traveler, a little league baseball coach, a talented amateur photographer and cartoonist, a lover of steam locomotives and antique cars, but above all for his loving devotion to family and friends. Many summers were spent with them on Lake Kanasatka in New Hampshire or Southport Island, Maine, where Phil took summer services at the "All-Saints-By-The-Sea" chapel. Affectionately known to his grandchildren as "Papa," (whom he often startled with his thunderous sneezes) Philip and Lee shared their home (over many years) with four dogs, too many cats to count, a boa constrictor, a raccoon and a woodchuck. He is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Lee Albert Krug; children Stefan (and wife Nancy), Adrienne, Corbin (and wife Laurie), Kevin (and wife Marla), all of whom he baptized and married; and his nine grandchildren: Chloe (and husband Nathan), Michala (and husband Michael), Cameron (and Sara), Jordan (and Madeline), Matthew, Skylar, William, Tyson, and India. He baptized all his grandchildren and married the eldest two. His final act as a minister was officiating at the wedding ceremony of his eldest granddaughter in October. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 28, 2015 at 11:00am at Christ Church Hackensack. Donations in Philip's memory may be made to Christ Church Hackensack, 251 State Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601 or to Villa Marie Claire Hospice, 12 West Saddle River Road, Saddle River, NJ 07458. Arrangements by Robert Spearing Funeral Home, Inc. 155 Kinderkamack Road, Park Ridge, NJ 07656 rsfhi.com."