Arnold Kroeger

Arnold J. Kroeger, 86, Pastor and Contractor, was born in Charleston, Staten Island to John and Irene (Adams) Kroeger. He lived most of his life in Tottenville except for two years in Grant City. He hated the 20-minute commute to Tottenville.

He is survived by his wife of sixty years, Dorothy (Knott) Kroeger. He is also survived by his sister Barbara Heins. He was predeceased by his brothers John and Martin. He is survived by: his daughter, Susan Cutler Rochford, and her husband Thomas; his son David Kroeger and his wife Lisa; and his son Robert Kroeger. He is survived by his grandchildren, Curtis and Elizabeth Cutler; Phillip and Tanya Cutler; and Cheyanne and Allison Kroeger; as well as two great-grandchildren, Curtis Cutler III, and Hayley Cutler.

Arnold attended P.S.1 and Tottenville High School. He had to leave school at 16 to help with the family business. He became an excellent roofer, especially excelling in slate and tile roofing. He worked on many houses of worship, making friends with many people of different denominations who ofter sought his advice or shared their problems with him.

In his youth, he was active in the boy counts, the boy scout band, the South Shore Band, and was a runner for air raid wardens in the civil service.

He played the guitar and trumpet. He excelled in oil painting, often giving his paintings away to friends and family and he enjoyed entering the CASC poetry contest.

He served in the Army and was able to receive his GED. He enjoyed his time in the service and said compared to roofing it was like a vacation.

He was a community activist, holding many different offices in Staten Island Camp of Gideons; The Tottenville Merchant Association; The Tottenville Improvement Council; and the South Shore Flag Day Association. He also graded bible lessons for prisoners through Mt. Zion Chapel Library. He ministered to the patients as a pastoral visitor since 1980 and became a pastoral volunteer when HIPA laws went into effect at the Staten Island University South site.

Arnold was noted for his sense of humor and corny Jokes, making people either laugh or groan.

However, Arnold's greatest love was serving his Lord and Savior through the church. He attended Tottenville Evangelical Free Church for fifty-three years. He served wherever needed: as pastor; cook; Sunday School teacher; maintenance worker; youth ministries; counselor; and pulpit supply for Goodwill Mission and Newark, NJ; and in the string band which he visited Eger Nursing Home, Eger Rehabilitation, and Willowbrook State Hospital where he volunteered his services when the staff went on strike in 1972.

In Lieu of flowers, the family says you may send to:

Gideons International (Staten Island Camp) PO Box 682 SI, NY 10314

Mt. Zion Chapel Library- 2063 West Wright Street, Pensacola, Florida 32505-7850

Goodwill Mission of Newark, NJ- PO 7026, Roseville Station, Newark, NJ 07107-0026