Obituaries

Philip Charles Eyrich

Philip Charles Eyrich of Southold died May 28 at San Simeon by the Sound Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation in Greenport. He was 92 years old.

He was born Dec. 29, 1920, to Charles and Christina (Diem) Eyrich in Brooklyn, where he attended Erasmus High School. On July 18, 1942, he married Ruth Thompsen, also in Brooklyn. Mr. Eyrich’s large family and beloved wife were most important to him, according to family members.

Music was Mr. Eyrich’s passion, they also said, and he was an extremely talented pianist and organist, touching many lives with his gifts. He taught piano and organ, worked as a piano tuner and belonged to the American Guild of Organists.

Mr. Eyrich incorporated his love of music into his faith and service to the church, being organist at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Roosevelt, N.Y., for 25 years. Locally he substituted in the handbell choir at his parish, St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Greenport, and as organist there and at many other churches. He was also an associate in ministry with Evangelical Lutheran Church of America and a member of the Masons.

Mr. Eyrich’s wife of 68 years predeceased him on Sept. 2, 2010. He is survived by his children: Dennis, of Middletown, Del., Douglas, of Marietta, Ga., Robert, of Coral Springs, Fla., Rondi Petersen of Beaumont, Texas, and Phyllis Johnson of Southold; 15 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren.

Services were held June 3 at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, the Rev. Garret Johnson officiating, followed by interment at Greenwood Cemetery in Brooklyn.

Arrangements were handled by Horton-Mathie Funeral Home in Greenport.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 242, Greenport, NY 11944.