Stephentown – Frederick William Kruger of Stephentown, NY, died at his home on Friday, September 26, 2014, at age 87. Born on September 11, 1927, he was the youngest child of Wanda and Frederick Kruger of Hancock, MA.
Fred grew up in White Plains, NY. As a child he traveled to Germany with his family and recounted a memory of attending the 1936 Olympic Games and seeing the American runner Jessie Owens. He served in the U.S. Army at the end of WW II as a WAC paymaster.
Fred learned the craft of stone masonry from his father and, over his lifetime, became a master builder.
Fred had an abiding love of the outdoors. He was a natural athlete, a graceful skier, an ice skater and an accomplished outdoorsman who snowshoed, ice-fished and hunted. He especially enjoyed fishing the streams of Columbia County.
Fred had lived in Lebanon Springs and New Lebanon, NY, raising his family, working, gardening, hunting and fishing and picking wild mushrooms. He was a wonderful storyteller.
Fred is pre-deceased by his parents, his older brother, Hayes, his sister, Patricia, his wife of 50 years, Edna, his daughter, Janet, and two loyal dogs, Danny and, later, Fritz. He is survived by his son, Fred Kruger and his fiancée Ashlee Zanconato of Stephentown, his daughter, Barbara Brooke and her husband Glenn of Fort Myers FL, his granddaughter, Kate Brooke and her husband Ryan of Portland, OR, and his grandson, Christopher Brooke of Cape Coral, FL.
Relatives and friends called at the Hall & Higgins Funeral Home, 457 NY Route 43 in Stephentown on Wednesday, October 1, from 5 to 7 pm. Fred’s ashes will be buried at a later date at the Cemetery of the Evergreens in New Lebanon.
In lieu of flowers, contributions would be appreciated to the Eleanor Sonsini Animal Shelter, 63 Downing Industrial Drive, Pittsfield, MA, 01201.
A condolence book is available at ParkerBrosMemorial.com.