The Rev. Philip Eldredge Jerauld, 94, formerly of Litchfield, NH, died Saturday April 11, 2020, of the Covid-19 coronavirus at Hanover Hill Healthcare Center, Manchester, NH, where he resided since 2014.
Philip was the loving husband of Nancy J (Jordan) Jerauld of Litchfield, NH, and is survived by his two sons, Michael Jerauld of Edgemont, SD, Joseph Jerauld and his wife Lisa of Virginia Beach, VA, and his step-son William Kullman and his wife Kristin, of Londonderry, NH, six grandchildren, four nephews and one niece.
He was born March 18, 1926, in Barnstable, MA, the son of the late Bruce K. Jerauld, Sr. and Jennie Lucile (Thayer) Jerauld. He was predeceased by three brothers Bruce K. Jerauld, Jr., Frederick T. Jerauld, and Gordon O. Jerauld.
Philip enlisted in the Navy after graduating from Barnstable High School during WWII, and was in training as a Navy Pilot when the war came to an end. He graduated from Boston University in 1949, and taught high school music in Petersburg, Alaska, before entering seminary at the Church Divinity School of the Pacific, in Berkeley CA. After ordination Philip helped found St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Anchorage, Alaska. In 1958 he reenlisted in the Navy as a Chaplain. He completed a post graduate course at Yale University in 1968 and an Advanced Course at the Navy Chaplain School in 1974. At his last duty station in Hawaii, he supervised the building of the new chapel at Pearl Harbor. Upon the building’s completion in 1981 he retired, having served 23 years in the Navy Chaplain Corps. During his distinguished service he received the World War II Victory Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, American Theatre Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal. On April 17, 1970 he offered the prayer on the deck of the helicopter carrier Iwo Jima for the astronauts of Apollo 13 when they returned to Earth after their aborted trip to the moon.
After his retirement from the Navy he served in the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts in various capacities until 1991 and in the Diocese of Maine after he and Nancy moved to Maine. He was a talented musician, an avid birdwatcher, a voracious reader, and a kind, generous and loving human being.
The family would like to extend deep gratitude and thanks for the skill, kindness, and care the staff showed to Phil and to his family during his nearly six years at Hanover Hill Health Care Center. Our hearts go out to everyone at Hanover Hill at this difficult time.
Donations in his name can be made to St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Londonderry, NH. where he was a parishioner.
Private services will be scheduled at a later date. Burial will be at the Lothrop Hill Cemetery, Barnstable, MA. The Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium of Derry and Londonderry is assisting the family with arrangements. To send a condolence or for more information, please visit www.peabodyfuneralhome.com