Tribute Wall
Saturday
11
February
Visitation at Funeral Home
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Saturday, February 11, 2023
Edward D. Lynch Funeral Home, Inc
43-07 Queens Boulevard
Sunnyside, New York, United States
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Bruce DiCicco posted a condolence
Tuesday, April 11, 2023
Jeffrey and I and both our brothers, were ocean lifeguards together. We shared the best time of being young together with boundless energy and fun times with Luke White and crew all summer. He brought great joy to me when we would see each other in the City and remember when the world was young. He asked me to blow 2, one day on the subway and being unprepared, I since then I always carry an Acme Thunderer; which I did whenever I saw him thereafter in the NYC subway and directed him to bathe only between the green flags; which made us both laugh like crazy; meanwhile the rest of the New Yorkers pretended not to notice or care. Peace Jeff.
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Carmella Sheahan posted a condolence
Monday, February 13, 2023
I’m so sorry to hear of this loss. Jeff was a wonderful, funny sweet person. I am so glad I got to visit and talk with him again at our 50th GC High School reunion in 2019. - Carmella Bentley-Sheahan
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Robert Alvey posted a condolence
Sunday, February 12, 2023
My Wife, Suzie and I have known Jeff for many years and he was wonderful and kind. Laura got a gem, and visa versa. I remember going over to Brooklyn College years ago to see him give a slide filled lecture on the Brooklyn water supply, and he was nice enough to give me a full copy of his presentation which I immediately shared with my buddies at the USGS. Was glad both Laura and Jeff attended our retirement party in GC, and we got together at our 50th reunion.
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Colleen Queripel uploaded photo(s)
Sunday, February 12, 2023
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Retired TOH lifeguards!
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Elizabeth "Zabby" Hovey posted a condolence
Saturday, February 11, 2023
I have known Jeff for many years, since we were introduced for baseball outings by a friend from his Encyclopedia of the City of New York work. Having crossed paths with him also at urban history events, I was delighted when we both landed at John Jay College. His work as a librarian with the History Department generally and with several of my classes was peak professionalism, tempered with humor. I admired his drive and vision to formally lead the library.
For my family, Jeffrey’s greatest feat was launching and guiding the Criminal Justice Oral History project. Such enthusiasm and such insight! If not for him, many personal accounts would not have been preserved. For example, he recognized for the first time the value of policing’s cyber pioneers. Two men who broke through its traditional bulwarks to introduce computing to law enforcement both gave their stories to Jeffrey in what turned out to be their final year.
As recently as January 24, Jeff’s ability to cogently explore everything that mattered was on full display. First thing in the morning, he underscored the centrality of the library to the intellectual life of John Jay College in a presentation open to its whole faculty. Soon after, in a different forum about students’ potential use of AI, Jeff offered a salient anecdote from a Kurt Vonnegut novel. He had an intellect, and, indeed, a laugh, that cannot be replaced.
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Patricia Dorfman uploaded photo(s)
Friday, February 10, 2023
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Jeffrey shared the substantial burden among many wise people passionate about Queens and its history, of preserving what needed to be preserved, championing what needed to be championed, and speaking plainly on tough subjects. He was usually the best informed due to his meticulous research. His death is a blow to knowledge and history, historical accuracy, and the fight for what is good and true about Queens. We have lost a general in a battle we cannot afford to lose in a war which we cannot afford to lose.
These photos were taken at Laura Heim's architectural studio on Skillman Ave at the 2021 launch of his book on Sunnyside Gardens where his many fans gathered to appreciate his accomplishments. He was a hero to the borough of Queens. We will miss and feel his loss more as time goes by.
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Barry Latzer posted a condolence
Friday, February 10, 2023
To Laura and the Kroessler Family:
I was a long-time friend and John Jay colleague of Jeff's and I was stunned and deeply saddened by his sudden passing. I knew Jeff for most of my working years at John Jay (since 1978!) and met regularly with him and other CUNY colleagues in a criminal justice reading group. Jeff attended nearly all of our meetings, helped arrange the meeting room, and contributed perceptive insights into the work being discussed. Whether members agreed with his views or not, everyone appreciated his penetrating analysis and gentle manner. Jeff's death will leave a real void in our meetings.
In the last few years I had numerous exchanges with Jeff about a manuscript he had written and which he had hoped to publish as a book. The subject was controversial and I tried, without success, to help get it published. It was -- as would be expected from Jeff -- exceptionally well-researched and persuasively written. It grieves me that he never lived long enough to see it in print, and I know this was a source of deep disappointment to him. I can only hope that one day Jeff's manuscript will be published and will be recognized for the solid work that it is.
Farewell, my friend: You enriched my life and the lives of all who knew and worked with you.
Barry Latzer
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Thomas Paino posted a condolence
Friday, February 10, 2023
Historian to “the people”
Yes, Jeff Kroessler achieved commendable standing in numerous academic and civic organizations, yet as outstanding was his humbleness and nonchalant passion for factual messaging to “the people”. With a well-researched and contextually organized set of facts, presented in an unassuming vocabulary and that irreverent expression, even the least cultivated among us would be captivated.
In the late 1990s Long Island City (and, in fact, all of New York City) was confronted by a terribly misguided initiative to erect a giant statue in veneration of Queen Catherine of Braganza at the LIC waterfront just opposite the United Nations. The project had been approved, was fully funded and had the backing of all major elected officials including the borough president. The assembling of the statue had already begun in an Upstate foundry when a scrappy collaboration of community groups including LIC, Eastern Queens churches and representatives of the “million-man march” knew something was terribly wrong and vowed to fight it. In steps Jeff, never outwardly revealing which side he was on, but simply and compellingly telling the facts. This meant, not lecturing in a classroom, but providing text for a popular cartoon artist, appearing in esoteric TV productions (York College Media Studio) and innumerable other on-the-ground activities. We learned how our democracy was based on the expulsion of royalty, we learned of the lucrative slave trade industry of which Queen Catherine was implicated, we learned where Braganza was. The statue was never erected in New York City.
I will miss that smile of knowledge and humanity that told all of us that we can learn history.
Tom Paino, Long Island City
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Kimberly Strong posted a condolence
Thursday, February 9, 2023
Sitting with Jeff at Thanksgiving was always the prime spot! He told wonderful, witty stories and his laughter was contagious. My husband Bryan looked forward to seeing him and going to movies if they found time. I remember when he and Laura got engaged. They both were so silly happy, with smiles that could not be rivaled. Jeff has been a blessing to our family and we will miss him very much. He will be remembered as a wonderful loving man.
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Susan Karen Sheim posted a condolence
Thursday, February 9, 2023
Dear Laura, I never knew Mr. Kroessler personally, but I attended his talk on the Sunnyside Gardens book given online by The Greater Astoria Historical Society. It was a wonderful, warm, interesting and entertaining presentation. From this I know he was a wonderful person. Please accept my sincerest condolences. Susan Karen Sheim, Sunnyside
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Elsa Dixler posted a condolence
Thursday, February 9, 2023
Our (my husband is Jeff Schneider) daughter, Rosa, was born in April 1988. She was an outgoing little one and was always pleasant when our friends and relatives stopped by. But when Jeffrey came over . . . it was a different scene. She was absolutely beside herself with happiness. She never left his side and wept—yes, really—when he left. She never reacted that way to anyone else in our circle. We used to joke that she would just have to wait 20 years to marry him; obviously that didn't work out. My Jeff has known Jeffrey a long time, since graduate school, and he (JK) has been a wonderful friend to him. I was always happy to see him but we met less often. Still, when I think of Jeffrey I will always remember the way Rosie's eyes lit up when he walked through the door. Elsa Dixler
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Christina McKay posted a condolence
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
Dear Laura,
I am very sorry for your loss. You and Jeffrey were like two peas in a pod.
May you find peace in your beautiful memories.
Truly,
Christina McKay-Vega
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Rob MacKay posted a condolence
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
Shocking and very sad. I am much richer for having known him. My condolences to Laura and the rest of his family.
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Peter Moskos posted a condolence
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
My condolences to the Kroessler family. It was always such a pleasure working with Jeff at John Jay College. May his memory be eternal.
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Rita Rosenkranz posted a condolence
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
I represented Jeff on two books. He was enthusiastic, impressively reliable and committed to doing good work. I am deeply saddened by his passing.
Rita Rosenkranz
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Colleen O'Donnell posted a symbolic gesture
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
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Our friend Jeff’s passing will leave a hole in our lives. He has been part of Dave’s life since the early 70s and mine since I met Dave in 1979. Although he is gone, the bond of the lifeguard, the ocean and the Long Island life will connect us always. As his wife Laura said, it is something special to have this kind of life long (and beyond) friendship.
Jeff was a brilliant, funny and special man. Young at heart and appearance always. We have such wonderful memories of Maine with he and Laura and all the Kroesslers. Special memories! Our beach connection. White’s cabana. The guys and Hot Fu**kn Tuna. Introducing Laura to listening to Jorma. Our traditional New Years Eve dinner with Jeff and Laura and Mike and Anne White. Holiday parties at Tim and Heather Fiala’s.
We will miss your smile, your laugh, your kindness and your presence.
With love,
Dave and Colleen
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Andrew Gyory posted a condolence
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
Jeff was a kind and loving friend, always a pleasure to chat with, laugh with, and share a beer with. I met him ages ago at CUNY, and for many years after we graduated we and other buddies would gather regularly at what we called "Boys' History Club" dinners to discuss historiography, compare job offers, and tell uproariously funny jokes. We also went on numerous history tours and walks on which he would always teach me something new about New York City and his beloved Queens. He liked being contrary, and his originality, fearlessness, and decency were among his many charms. I last saw him at his book party for "Sunnyside Gardens," a triumphant occasion where friends celebrated his well-deserved success and infectious bonhomie. My condolences to Laura, his brothers, and many loved ones. Jeff was a sweet, thoughtful, and superb man, and I will miss him.
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The family of Jeffrey Andrew Kroessler uploaded a photo
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
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Edward D. Lynch Funeral Home, Inc.
43-07 Queens Boulevard Sunnyside, NY 11104
T-718-784-1525 F-718-786-4753