William A. Krause Jr.

KRAUSE William A. Krause Jr., age 76, of Westport, died Tuesday at Norwalk Hospital. He was the husband of Mary Testa Krause. He was born in New York City, N.Y. on December 25, 1928 and was the son of the late William A. and Beatrice Lorenz Krause. He had been a Westport resident for most of his life. He was a veteran of the Korean War, serving in the United States Army from 1951-1953 with the Bloody Bucket Division of Pennsylvania, and was active in the Joseph J. Clinton Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 399. Mr. Krause worked for Gorham Press for 41 years. After retirement he continued to stay active as a School Crossing Guard in Westport and a community leader. An avid sportsman and community member, Mr. Krause was involved in numerous organizations including the Masonic Temple Lodge 65, Scottish Rite, Laurel Athletic Club, and St. Ann's Club of Norwalk. He was a Westport Police Athletic League volunteer and board member. He also volunteered for the Westport Fire Department Compo Engine Co. #1 and the Shriners ARAB Patrol in Bridgeport. In 2004, the Norwalk Old Timers honored Mr. Krause with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Mr. Krause loved sports, participating as a player, official, manager and league organizer. After playing softball with the Norwalk Eagles, he is currently serving as the Commissioner of the Westport and Norwalk Amateur Softball Association league and was inducted into the Connecticut ASA Hall of Fame in 1990 with an Umpire Lifetime Achievement Award. He also officiated for the IAABO for local high school and college girls and boys basketball, girls softball, and football for 40 years. He was currently serving as the President of the Sportsmen of Westport. Survivors in addition to his wife of 36 years includes a son, William A. Krause III of Atlanta; a daughter, Tracey Krause Duff, wife of State Senator Bob Duff of Norwalk; and a grandson, Ryan Robert Duff. He was predeceased by his brother, John Krause. A service of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday in Christ and Holy Trinity Church, 55 Myrtle Avenue, Westport. Internment will follow in Christ and Holy Trinity Church Cemetery, North Kings Highway, Westport. Friends may call from 4 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Christ and Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 55 Myrtle Avenue, Westport. Members of Saint Ann's Club will assemble at 7:30. The Harding Funeral Home, 210 Post Road East, Westport is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607-1460 or Christ and Holy Trinity Church, 55 Myrtle Avenue, Westport, CT 06880.