William J. “Billy” Kruger, 93, a well-known New Bedford waterfront figure for decades, died unexpectedly on July 17, 2009. The proprietor for many years of Kruger Brothers Ship Supply and an employee until his death, Mr. Kruger died from injuries suffered in a fall in front of the business. He was preceded in death in 2004 by his wife, Madelyn (Sweeney) Kruger.
Born on December 18, 1915 in New Bedford to the late Louis and Theresa (Liepold) Kruger, Mr. Kruger was educated in New Bedford Schools. At age sixteen he began working at a grocery and ship supply building started by his brother in 1919 and located on Pier Three. By the time he was 19, he and his sister, Elfreida, were running the business and concentrating solely on the fishing industry. He later moved the business to North Second Street in the 1950’s and then to Union Street during urban renewal in the early 1970’s. His son Tom joined the business in 1983.
Billy was a friend to many a New Bedford fishermen while working at his business for seventy-four years. He located jobs for unemployed men, and provided a location for the men to swap stories and tall tales during their time on land. His knowledge of local history dated back to the 1920’s and he could charm his family and any listener for long stretches with stories of the ethnic neighborhoods, the experiences of growing up in New Bedford in the first decades of the twentieth century and the history of New Bedford politics.
Mr. Kruger served on the city Democratic Committee for many years. He was appointed to the New Bedford Water Board and served as a member and chairman during his more than fifty years of service. Upon his retirement from the board former Mayor Kalisz and the board named the meeting room at the Quitticas Pumping station in his honor.
A daily reader of The Globe, The Herald and The Standard Times, he could discuss politics, world affairs and sports with anyone. He enjoyed biographies and all types of fiction. He was a lifelong Yankees fan.
He was proud of his long life of continuous hard work and was content to work and enjoy the companionship and storytelling of seafaring men.
Billy was very close to his family and will be very much missed. He is survived by his son, Thomas J. Kruger and his wife, Christine, of New Bedford, daughters Patricia A. Harrington of Mattapoisett and Mary P. Kruger of New Bedford; grandchildren Scott and Stacy Kruger, Jay and Kathy Kruger, all of New Bedford, Mark and Erica Kruger of So. Dartmouth and Amy and Jeremy Corriveau of Fall River; Patricia S. Harrington of East Providence, Kelly Harrington Rossiter of Tonsbrg, Norway and Samantha Kruger of New Bedford, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his siblings: Carl, Fritz, Louis, Harry, Paul, Ernest and Elfreida Kruger and Louise Mitchell.
Visiting hours will be from 4:00-8:00 p.m. on Monday, July 20, 2009 at Saunders-Dwyer Home For Funerals, 495 Park Street, New Bedford. A Mass will be celebrated in his honor at Holy Name Church, 121 Mount Pleasant Street, New Bedford, on Tuesday, July 21st, at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Beckwith-Weidemann Children's Foundation, 433 Court St., New Bedford, MA 02740 or Holy Family-Holy Name Grammar School, 91 Summer Street, New Bedford, MA 02740.