Philip ‘Phil’ Dufree Kless, avid skiier
Philip "Phil" Dufree Kless of Lewes passed away at Beebe Healthcare Tuesday, June 26, 2018, after a long battle with lung cancer. Phil was the only child of the late Harold and Beatrice Kless. Born Dec. 23, 1935, in New York City, N.Y., Phil grew up mostly in Washington, D.C.
He attended Trinity College in Hartford, Conn., served in the U.S. Army, and retired from Raytheon Corp. after 36 years of service in 2005. He then moved to Lewes from Falls Church, Va. Phil loved snow skiing, woodworking and sailing. He also loved his cat, Pfeffa, whose main goal in life was to harass Carol. Pfeffa passed away two years ago at age 23. Phil was a member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, and had previously served on the vestry of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Lewes, where he was a member.
Phil is survived by his loving wife of seven-and-a-half years, Carol, of Lewes; his stepdaughter, Karoline Shair (Matthew) of Lexington, Mass.; his grandchildren; Benjamin and Amelia Shair of Lexington; his cousins: Connie Kless of Rochester, N.Y., Carolyn Kless, Denise Kelly (Tim), and Tobias Kelly, all of Canandaigua, N.Y., Kevin Kless (Amy) of Rochester, Jill Kless of Rochester, Janne Groner, Alexis Groner and Brendan Groner, all of Carrboro, N.C., Carolyn Kless, Tracy Amato and Joseph Amato, all of Yorba Linda, Calif., and Denny Kless of Bethesda, Md.
A funeral service will be held at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Lewes Tuesday, July 17, at 11 a.m. Interment will follow the service at St. Peter's Pilottown Road cemetery. Reception follows at the Lewes Yacht Club.
Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Lewes.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Phil's name can be made to Beebe Healthcare or St. Peter's Episcopal Church.
The family would like to thank the staff of Beebe Healthcare for their professional and caring support of Phil during his long illness.
Please visit Phil's Life Memorial Webpage and sign his online guestbook at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.
