David "Dave" Andrew Crowley Jr.

He was born on May 19, 1932, to the late David A. Crowley, Sr., and the late Elizabeth (Dietrich) Crowley in Elizabeth, New Jersey. He was raised in Elizabeth, graduating from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1950. He attended college at Rutgers University, graduating in 1954 with a degree in marketing.

He married his teenage sweetheart, Joanne Cook, on November 21, 1953. They met at age 14, dated on and off through high school, and became seriously involved when Dave was attending Rutgers. They were married for 71 years.

They spent about half of their married life raising nine children, and he worked hard to support their family. They had their first four children while living in Elizabeth and Cranford, New Jersey. They added three more while living in Van Nuys, California. Always the go-getter, Dave moved his family there in 1960 for better career prospects. They had their final two children in Rockford, Illinois, where they relocated in 1964 to be closer to family. Dave was extremely proud of his children, all of whom became successful adults.

Dave worked most of his professional career in the paint and chemical coatings industry, primarily as sales manager at the Gordon Bartels Company in Rockford for 32 years. He was the company’s #1 salesman, as he was born with the gift of gab and loved to meet and talk with clients. He was a hard worker and was honest and forthright in his dealings with clients, which is why he was so successful.

He retired in 1996, and he and Joanne eventually relocated to Jekyll Island, Georgia—first as snowbirds, then as full-time residents—where they lived their dream retirement for 26 years. Dave volunteered at Habitat for Humanity, the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, where he loved educating the public about the plight of sea turtles, and the Jekyll Island Golf Club.

Dave was an avid golfer and enjoyed watching professional golf on television. His grandfather taught him to play when Dave was six years old, and he played on the golf team in high school. As an adult, Dave played whenever he could find time, and also passed his love of the game along to his sons. After he retired, Dave golfed three times a week well into his late eighties, frequently shooting his age.

His other passion was traveling with Joanne. They traveled extensively during their retirement, visiting several locations in North America, as well as China, Russia, South America and Europe. They traveled well into their eighties, making lifelong friends and wonderful memories.

Dave is survived by Joanne, his wife and love of his life, their nine children, Kevin Crowley, Karen McMahon (Edward), Kathleen McFadden (Tim), Eileen Crowley (Kevin McDonald), Brian Crowley (Dawn), Norita Seiffert (John), Megan Zimmerlee (Scott), David Crowley, and Matthew Crowley (Kari), as well as 21 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren. He is predeceased by two daughters-in-law, Kay Crowley (David) and Maryellen Cameron (Kevin), and his grandson Samuel McFadden.

He will be laid to rest in the columbarium at St. Williams Catholic Church on St. Simons Island in a private ceremony. His was a life well lived, full of family and friends. He will be missed.

“Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.”