As a young boy, David Crawford fought the odds and survived Polio. He was considered one of the lucky ones, one of the few that was able to leave Boston Children’s Hospital. His future would be forever molded by that experience as it left him with physical challenges and unexpectedly, blessings of resilience and optimism.
Growing up the son of an NHL Defenseman Boston Bruin Jack Crawford and his lovely wife Marjorie, there was no time for coddling or pity. With a brother, Barry, who followed him in age akin to an Irish twin, there were sibling antics you’d expect from two boys. Despite the limitations of not being able to run or play sports, David was able to put the crutches down long enough throughout his adolescence to learn to sail off Englewood Beach in a perpetually leaky beetlecat, to swim, on a dare, from that very same beach to Great Island, and eventually, just like his dad, lace up a special pair of skates to experience the sport that he loved, in the net for his youth hockey team.
He took a job one summer as a launch driver at Hyannisport Yacht Club in the early 60’s during the height of the Kennedy Camelot era. There he met local legend John Linehan, then Sailing Master of HPYC and then Principal of Hyannis East Elementary. It was a magnetic friendship that lasted until John’s passing in 2004. John elevated David’s experience into boating by hiring him as a sailing instructor. For the next 15 years, David was known as the funny, kind-hearted guy that taught all the Kennedy and Shriver kids how to sail. He owned the village candy store for a time and gave away more candy and ice cream to the kids than he ever sold. From wianno senior races in Hyannisport to many years (and legendary stories) of Edgartown Regattas, Whaler Races around Block Island, and the first days of Figawi, David was known to be the guy in the cockpit, his knowledge and talent for navigation, tactics, tides, and being able to find the sweet spot in the luff, made sure he would be the leader on any boat he sailed.
When David was looking to move up to Principal of Dennis Yarmouth High School from the VP position he held for years, he was taking night classes in Boston for his M.ED. This was during the gas crunch of the ‘80’s, he and his wife Monique were raising 4 young kids and his sandy-covered Grand Jeep Wagoneer with its V8 was a gas guzzler. He’d often conserve gas for his commute to graduate school, by cutting through the woods near his home in Sandwich and “catch” a ride to and from work to his job at DY High School.
Eventually, he changed careers and entered Finance but continued his support of sailing, teaching, and education through other endeavors. He spent many years involved in the leadership of Hyannis Yacht Club. Growing the youth program to include its first competitive racing sail team, and hosting many national youth regattas. He served as Commodore, while his 2 oldest kids were employed as a sailing instructor and launch driver and he’d say it was just like he and his brother Barry, which made him proud.
When he got involved with Figawi in the early ’80s, he earned his spot on the board after a few years of proving his dedication by making sure the popcorn buckets in the tent were always filled. He was Chairman for many years, leading the organization along with the hard-working board, into a successful non-profit supporting many causes in the community. As Treasurer, crunching numbers and paying bills was a task he actually looked forward to on the weekends. He’d often rally the board to get behind a cause that had recently fired him up or he’d back up another member who had passion for a service project.
When his oldest grandson was approaching high school and contemplating a commute to a school off-cape, David was part of a group that began a project to open a catholic high school on Cape Cod. As a founder of Saint John Paul II High School, it was a proud moment for him when his grandson graduated in the class of 2012.
Throughout his endeavors, he remained optimistic and enthusiastic despite any odds or setbacks and inspired those around them to work hard, take care of others, and persevere. When asked what his plans were for retirement, with a mischievous twinkle in his eye, he’d smile and say “There’s too much to do so I am going out with my boots on.”
The legacy that David created will continue on strong in his best friend and wife of 53 years Monique, his daughter Shelley Hill and her husband Derek, his son JD Crawford and his wife Mimi, his son Shea Crawford and his girlfriend Lorna Breault, and his daughter Katie Crawford and her husband Dan Dumas. David was the eldest of 5, Barry Crawford wife Caroline, Susan Hassett husband Joe, Lauren Whitfield, and Mary Elaine Scott. David always had a place in his heart for the “outlaws” Mitch McCabe, Sarah Bartlett, and Kaylynn Crawford, the “Lunch Pails” nieces Kelly McDonald, Shannon Coe husband Doug, and Courtney Germani husband Mark, whose energy and revelry always made him smile, nieces Jen Swaylik husband Scott, Catherine Johnson husband Brent, nephews John Hassett wife Kirsten, Brett Crawford wife Jodi, Brendan Whitfield, Spencer Scott and Timothy Scott, predeceased by nephew Danny Hassett.
He was known as Papa to his 10 grandchildren– Andrew McCabe and his wife Devin, CJ McCabe, Hayden and Kate Crawford, Blake and Reddam Crawford, Johnny Dumas, Lexi Little, Caden and Addi Hill. Papa’s first great-grandchild Callum Wells McCabe born February 5, 2021, who will come to know his Papa through all that have a story.
There are so many more family members, colleagues, and great friends that David was thankful to have in his life.
David believed strongly in his work with Figawi Charities, if you would like to honor his memory, please send checks to Figawi Charities, PO Box 486, W. Hyannisport, MA 02672
"To laugh often and love much; to win the respect of intelligent persons and the affection of children; to earn the approbation of honest citizens and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to give of one’s self; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived ---- this is to have succeeded."
Ralph Waldo Emerson
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