Hal Kruse

Hal F. Kruse, 91, of Colts Neck, died on Friday, October 17, surrounded by love.

One of the last of the renaissance men, Hal lived life to the fullest. He always had a story to tell of the many adventures in his life, all told with typical Hal Kruse flair. Throughout his life, Hal was a child model, high school athlete, merchant marine deck officer, electrical engineer, self-taught artist and racehorse trainer. But most importantly, he was a devoted husband, father and grandfather who loved nothing more than when he could get together with his girls.

Hal was born and raised in Jersey City to the late Anna and Francis Joseph Harold Kruse. He was a college athlete and graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, where he sailed the world and explored every corner of the globe.

He married Dotsy, his high school sweetheart, and they began their family, living in Jersey City, Union City, and Nutley, before moving to Colts Neck in 1967 to his dream home, where they resided ever since. Hal worked as an electrical engineer for Western Electric, now AT&T. He was a proud member of the Colts Neck Reformed Church throughout his life, always sitting in his usual spot in the back row.

Hal loved raising thoroughbred horses, winning a race at Monmouth Park, but especially loved his pielbald horse Warcloud, affectionately known as Cloudy, who was a standout with his striking black and white markings. The two were inseparable, spending hours exploring the backroads of Colts Neck. Hal loved playing golf with his buddies and organizing his Hal Kruse Invitational golf tournaments for his fellow golfers at work. He loved movies from the 1930s and 40s, cowboy programs and keeping up with politics. He also enjoyed working around the house, being known for his ability to learn and fix anything. Hal was a handyman who was a good problem solver. He will be remembered for his kind and generous nature, his good sense of humor, and how he would laugh easily and often.

What comforts his family most is how he would often tell them how happy he was with his life, that he picked the right woman as his wife, and that he loved them all so very much, which was evident by the way his face would light up every time one of his daughters or grandchildren would enter the room. He is so very loved, and so deeply missed.

He is predeceased by his parents, his loving wife Dorothy Kruse, and his brother Ray and his wife Bobbie Kruse.

Hal is survived by his four loving daughters Lisa Kruse of Colts Neck, Lauren Kruse of New York City, Lenore and her husband Jerry Parisi of Long Branch, and Leslie Kruse and her husband Don Taglialatella of Middlebury, CT, his two beloved grandchildren Bryce and Emma, his nieces and nephews and his trusted caregivers.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 2 from 2 pm – 3 pm at the Holmdel Funeral Home, 26 South Holmdel Road, Holmdel. A funeral home service will be offered at 3 pm.

For messages of condolences, or to share a favorite memory of Hal, please visit his page of tribute at www.HolmdelFuneralHome.com