Obituary of John "23-Alpha" Kryger

John J. Kryger of Garnerville, a former New York City firefighter and staff writer at the Rockland Journal-News, died on March 18th, 2024 at Valley Hospital, Ridgewood,NJ. Mr. Kryger was born July 29, 1942 in Staten Island, N.Y. to John J. Kryger Sr. and Martha Krause. He married Susanne K. Smith on Nov. 24, 1962 in St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Staten Island.

A Rockland resident since 1972, Mr. Kryger retired from Ladder Co. 39 in the Bronx after a 21-year career as a New York City firefighter. He was a life member, past secretary, and scholarship chairman of the NYFD St. George Association. He was also a member of the NYFD Pulaski Association and past historian.On Staten Island, he was the former disaster chairman of the American Red Cross and the founder of the Signal 8-8 Fire Buff Club, Inc. at age 15.

He was a volunteer with the S.W. Johnson Steam Fire Engine Co. 1 of Garnerville for 12 years of active service, and rejoined the West Haverstraw FD in June 2002 as an active member of Volunteer Hose Co. 2, where he served as department Public Information Officer, company financial secretary and chief’s aide. He was a life member of the Rockland County Volunteer Firefighters’ Association, corresponding secretary, and a member of the board of directors; a member of the Rockland County Fire Chiefs Association; an honorary member of the Rockland County Volunteer Fire Police Assn.; a member of the Fireman’s Association of the State of New York; and the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs. He also served on the Rockland County Fire Advisory Board, where he was both Chairman and Vice-Chairman.

Mr. Kryger was a county and state fire instructor for 10 years at the Rockland County Fire Training Center. He was appointed Deputy County Fire Coordinator for Media Relations and Fire Police in September 2004. He served as the chairman of the Rockland County Illegal Housing Task Force, as well. He was a 1960 graduate of Port Richmond High School in Staten Island, and was one of the first two county volunteer firefighters to graduate from the Rockland Community College AAS Fire Technology program. He received his bachelor’s degree in public administration at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and did graduate work there, too.

From 1983 to 1987, he was the sports editor of the Rockland County Times. He joined the staff of the Rockland Journal-News in 1987 as a part-time sports writer. He was promoted to full-time three years later, finishing in sports as a copy editor in 1996.

For over 10 years, he was a vice president of the New York State Sportswriters Association, and edited the state girls’ basketball poll. He was honored by the Section 1 girls’ basketball coaches for his writing.

Mr. Kryger transferred to the news desk October 1996 where he was responsible for the public safety, police and fire beats. He was honored by Gannett Suburban Newspapers and the Associated Press several times for both his fire and sports coverage. He also received awards for his firefighting articles from the Rockland County Fire Chiefs’ Association and was named the Liberty Mutual Insurance Group Firefighter of the Year in 1999 and 2002. He was a recipient of the 2019 Smokey Failes award by the RC Chief’s Association.

He was a three-time senior warden and the current treasurer of Trinity Episcopal Church in Garnerville, NY. He was the former master of acolytes and a chalice bearer at the church.

He was an avid Star Trek fan and memorabilia collector. He was an original NY Mets fan since 1962 as well as a NY Rangers fan. He enjoyed reading a book a week and walking for exercise.

Mr. Kryger is survived by his loving wife Susanne; his sons, retired Police Officer Oakland Police Department, Oakland CA, Steven L. (Carolyn) of Menlo Park, Calif., retired Haverstraw Town Police Sergeant David J. (Danielle) of Stony Point, and Stony Point Police Detective Andrew M. (Q); his daughter, Licensed Professional Counselor in private practice in Pueblo, Colorado, Patricia Anne Espinoza (Paul) of Colorado; four granddaughters, Kenna Kryger, Emily Kryger, Alison Kryger and Davan Kryger, and six grandsons, Jake Kryger, Jack Kryger, John Kingsley Kryger, Colin Kryger, Matthew and Dylan Kryger.

The wake will be held at The Rockland County Fire Training Center 35 Fireman’s Memorial Drive Pomona, NY from 6pm-9pm Thursday March 21, Friday 2pm4pm & 7pm-9pm Friday March 22. Firematic Services will be held Friday at 7:30pm. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday March 23 in Trinity Episcopal Church 28 Chapel St Garnerville, NY. Memorial contributions may be made to the Trinity Episcopal Church Building Fund, 28 Chapel St., Garnerville, N.Y. 10923.