Philip J. Kriss

Phil Kriss, devoted husband, community volunteer, firefighter, insurance analyst, lifelong motorhead and devilish teenager, died of a life well lived on Monday, February 1, 2021. A Simsbury, Conn. Native, Phil’s childhood, spent with his brother Greg and parents Bernice and Alex, involved a lot of swimming, biking and woodworking. While those knowing Phil today might not believe it, he developed quite a reputation as a prankster in parochial school and at the seminary. He learned to build all sorts of thing, ranging from a clubhouse and a wooden boat as a kid, to eventually a home for his parents in North Granby, Ct., and later his own home, a classic New England Cape, tucked among the trees in Barkhamsted, Ct. It was there that he welcomed home his bride, Linda Danielson, in 1985. Hand-in-hand, the couple enjoyed the next 35 years together. Their lives brought them to many places far and near, surrounded by family and friends, and in the past decade to Hebron, NH. Linda welcomed his kisses each morning and night, and the refrains of “I love you’s” at the end of every phone call. Phil’s profession as a financial insurance analyst in Connecticut included positions with The Hartford, CIGNA, Lincoln Financial, United Healthcare and others. Outside of work, Phil fulfilled a dream of owning his own ice cream parlor, Philbert’s Desserts in Torrington, Ct. As his tool room in the garage would attest, his skills were many. Odd jobs included a firewood business, property appraiser and accounting. More recently, in retirement, Phil worked for the Plymouth, N.H.’s O’Reilly Auto Parts, combining many passions - auto parts, and driving to remote corners of the state to meet the people who would use them. In Hebron, as well as Connecticut, Phil (and Linda) always served their community. Phil was a lifelong volunteer fireman, not only protecting the community, but also securing grants for equipment and overseeing construction projects at the station. In Barkhamsted, there is a stuffed Teddy Bear named Phil in a firefighter uniform looking out the front windshield in honor of the man whose hard work allowed the town to buy the truck and watch over the town Phil served. His wife is a member of the Hebron Union Congregational Church, Phil would do the grocery shopping for the monthly Community breakfasts, and he and Linda helped organize the craft fair part of the Hebron Church Fair each July. He will join in heaven his parents, Bernice and Alexander Kriss of Barkhamsted, Ct. Survivors include his beloved wife Linda Danielson Kriss of Hebron, N.H,; brother Greg Kriss and his wife, Debbie; nephew Jonathan Kriss and his wife, Lauren, and mother and step-father, Dorothy & Bob Field; his sister and brothers-in-law Sue Martin and Robert Danielson of N.H. and his partner, Ed Cassidy; several cousins, nieces and grand nieces and nephews, legions of friends and former co-workers, the more than 35 automobiles which he loving cared for and drove throughout the years, and the flock of wild turkeys, birds and squirrels who await his morning feeding daily off the back deck of their home. Due to current COVID restrictions, there are no services at this time. When our world is safe once again, the family plans a religious service at the Hebron United Congregational Church and a celebration of life in Barkhamsted, Ct. In honor of Phil, donations can be made to Barkhamsted East Volunteer Fire Co, #1, PO Box 152, Pleasant Valley, CT 06063 or Hebron NH Fire & EMT Dept., PO Box 97, Hebron, NH 03241.