Philip S. Feinberg

On Tuesday, September 15, 2026, Philip S. Feinberg, 92, passed away peacefully at Broward Health Imperial Hospital in Pompano Beach, Florida from heart failure. 

The son of Harry and Hannah Feinberg, Philip was a native and lifelong resident of Saranac Lake, New York.

 As a teenager, Philip was a multi-sport athlete at Saranac Lake High School (Class of 1951), running cross-country in the fall, playing basketball and skiing in the winter, and running track and playing baseball in the spring. Basketball and skiing remained two of his passions throughout the rest of his active, athletic life. He was also an avid golfer, softball and tennis player, and water skier.

After graduating from Saranac Lake High School, Philip entered New York University, but took a hiatus from his studies to serve in the army during the Korean War. After the war, he returned to Saranac Lake, married Phyllis Krinovitz Feinberg, his wife of 67 years, who predeceased him two years ago. 

The couple lived briefly in New York City, while Philip finished a degree in business administration at New York University. After college, Philip returned to Saranac Lake where he started his career in insurance and real estate. Over time, he combined several local agencies, including the Irving Krinovitz Insurance Agency, Leggett, Green, and S. Curtis Hayes, Inc. under the S. Curtis Hayes name, which continues today by his son Wayne. He taught finance courses at Paul Smith College as part of the college’s former hotel management program and was deeply involved in the New York State Realtors Association. He also served on the board of the Tupper Lake National Bank and managed Dechantel Apartments.

Throughout his busy business career that spanned nearly 60 years, the well being of Saranac Lake was always among his priorities. Few have dedicated as much time and energy to community service over the course of their lifetime. He is a past-president of the Saranac Lake Rotary Club. During the 1970s and 1980s, at the annual canoe races and just about any festival,parade or public gathering, you could find him spinning cotton candy for local kids. 

He was a fixture at Mount Pisgah during the 1960s and 1970s, helping put on youth ski races. After that,he was a regular at Whiteface, supporting his son Wayne and daughter Lisa through their junior ski racing careers and eventually working as one of the starters during the 1980 Winter Olympics. 

Philip’s tireless community service also included volunteering as treasurer of the Lake Placid Synagogue, on the board of High Peaks Hospice, the Adirondack Economic Development Corporation, Saranac Lake Golf Club, Saranac Lake Ski Club, and Franklin County Board of Realtors. For many years, during Saranac Lake Winter Carnival, you could find him on the ice palace crew. In 1994, he was named Citizen of the Year by the Saranac Lake Chamber of Commerce. 

Philip is survived by his two children Wayne Feinberg and Lisa Feinberg Ballard (Jack Ballard),three grandchildren Hannah Feinberg O’Neal (Adam O’Neal), Parker Densmore, and Palmer Feinberg, and two great grandchildren, Eloise O’Neal and Finley O’Neal. 

A graveside funeral for the family is planned for Wednesday morning, September 30th, but all are welcome to attend a reception (calling hours) in his memory on Wednesday afternoon, September 30th, 4:00pm to 6:00pm, at River Trail Beerworks, 79 Woodruff Street, Saranac Lake,NY 12983. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Friends of Mount Pisgah at P.O. Box 978, Saranac Lake, NY 12983, or High Peaks Hospice at 309 County Road 47, Suite 3, Saranac Lake,NY 12983.