The Rev. Albert Edward Roussel Zug

The Rev. Albert Edward Roussel (Bert) Zug, 65, of Wyndmoor, PA passed away peacefully at home on Monday, April 28, 2025, surrounded by his wife Kathy and his beloved family.

Born on December 2, 1959 and raised in Haverford PA, he was the son of the late Thomas and Lenore (nee French) Zug, and the youngest brother of Tom, Winkie, Sue, Graham, David (who died as a child), and Carli. His early years were spent on many adventures keeping up with his older siblings, and summers in Cape May, NJ and Sunapee, NH, filled with swimming, sailing, windsurfing and biking. Bert attended The Episcopal Academy for twelve years (Class of 1978), where he made life-long relationships with both his classmates and his school. His notable interests included cross-country, chapel council and theater. He attended Trinity College (Class of 1982) and completed his Master of Divinity degree at Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry in 1990. Ordained to the priesthood in 1991, he served as a youth minister for the Fellowship of Christians in Universities and Schools (FOCUS), as an Associate Rector and youth minister at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in Newtown Square, where he led numerous missions trips to Mexico and West Virginia, as an interim rector at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Exton, as an adjunct priest at St. David’s Episcopal Church in Wayne, and as the Middle School Chaplain and religion teacher at The Episcopal Academy, retiring in 2020. His legacy at Episcopal has been woven into the very fabric of the school—as a student, parent, teacher, chaplain, coach, mentor, and friend. For 21 years, Bert offered Middle School students a ministry of care and creativity, marked by his rare gift for helping young people explore and articulate their beliefs with honesty, integrity and confidence. Bert’s chapel services were brilliant and innovative, filled with costumes and props to engage his students.

Bert met Kathleen M. Greely in 2019. Having found in each other a true partner, they married in May of 2022. A month before their wedding, Bert was diagnosed with cancer. Though difficult, this new reality deepened their relationship, as they learned with one another how to navigate the challenges posed by his illness. Though too short a time, Bert and Kathy fit a lot of love and many adventures into the five years they shared, with trips to Puerto Rico, the American Southwest, and Italy, along with visits to family in Colorado, Vermont, Florida, DC, and in full circle, back to Cape May. They shared a fondness for sci-fi, sharpened their Wordle skills in many a waiting room, and through his passionate fandom, Bert made Kathy begrudgingly familiar with the Eagles and Phillies latest exploits. For every holiday, birthday, and anniversary, Bert sang and played a song he learned for Kathy on his guitar.

In 1981, Bert married Jocelyn McWhirter, together raising two children, Jamie and TeaZed. In 1994, he married Suzanne Verner Zug, and together they raised Bert’s youngest children, Graham and Andrew. Bert traveled extensively with his family, spending summers on the water and in the mountains in Lake Tahoe, NV, riding horses at dude ranches in Wyoming and Montana, attending festivals and making music with family in Colorado, playing with nieces and nephews in Boca Grande, FL and Ithaca, NY, and ultimately achieving his goal of visiting all fifty states with those whom he loved. He was devoted to his children, cheering them on in sports, theatre, concerts, competitions and graduations. He was infamous for recording every important moment with his camcorder in hand. After retiring, Bert re-ignited his love of theater, performing with the Players Club of Swarthmore, most recently as The Captain in “Anything Goes”.

Bert’s real joys in life were family, friendship, faith--and of course his love of games. Whether cheering for his beloved Philadelphia Eagles, Phillies and Flyers, or playing board games, poker or ball, Bert was always up for another game. Attending Super Bowl LII with TeaZed, and introducing Aiden to the Eagles and Phillies, were true highlights of his Philly sports-fan years. Bert loved science fiction, fantasy, sports and history, but most importantly, he loved sharing those with others. As one friend said, “Bert loved a lot of things, and he loved them out loud.”

Bert strove to embody the love of Jesus throughout his life. He was passionate about social justice and equality, supporting vulnerable populations, and protecting God’s green Earth. His presence was heartily felt in every room, stadium, theater, and place of worship he entered. His booming voice and laughter, along with his guitar, carried over any crowd. We always knew when Bert was around, and it was a joy to have him there.

Bert is survived by his wife Kathy, his children Jamie Zug (Shakeya Thomas), Albert “TeaZed” Zug Jr., Graham Zug (fiancé Veronica Tatone), and Andrew Zug (Madilyn Zug), his grandchildren Aiden and Westley Oyugi, and stepdaughters Sarah and Hannah Maniates, along with his siblings Thomas Zug (Susan), Lenore Lobel, Graham Zug (Elizabeth), Susanne Thompson (David) and Caroline Zug (Steven Szymanski), nieces, nephews, cousins, and his dog, Sophie.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Memorial Service on Saturday, May 10th at 11 AM in the Class of 1944 Chapel at The Episcopal Academy, 1785 Bishop White Drive, in Newtown Square, PA. The service will be livestreamed at https://vimeo.com/event/298405/0e5401400e Interment will be in The Church of St. Martin’s-in-the-Fields Columbarium. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bert's name to St. James School https://stjamesphila.org/ or the American Civil Liberties Union https://www.aclu.org/ , both causes Bert supported as expressions of love and justice in this world.

"A recording of Bert's funeral service can be viewed here: https://vimeo.com/1082545521/b985a565be?share=copy "