John Joseph "Jack" Crotty

Major John (Jack) Joseph Crotty, age 60, Retired U.S. Air Force, died at Golden Living Nursing Home in Montgomery, Alabama, on Wednesday, February 1, 2012, following a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

He was born December 9, 1951, in Buffalo, New York, to the late John Crotty and Cecilia (Skovenski) Crotty. He attended Sweet Home High School. He joined the United States Coast Guard at the age of 17. After serving in the Coast Guard, he graduated with an Electrical Engineering degree from the State University of Buffalo. He earned a Master of Science Degree from the University of Southern California and an additional Masters of Science from Middle Tennessee State University. He was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. He honorably served until January, 1996, and retired with the rank of major. Jack received numerous honors and decorations including both a Meritorious Service Medal and an Air Force Commendation Medal. Jack served three tours overseas.

Jack lived in Deatsville, Alabama, and Tullahoma, Tennessee. He continued to work for the Air Force as a civilian contractor at Gunter Air Force Base. Jack enjoyed building dragsters and racing them, target shooting, and playing softball. Jack was a passionate life-long New York Yankee fan.

Preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Daniel Crotty, Jack is survived by his sisters, Darleene (Walter) Lincer and Colleen (Craig) Halverson, and brother Mark Crotty. He is further survived by nephews, Jack Lincer and Mark Crotty; his nieces, Shawn Bender, Caitlin Lincer, Christan Halverson and Cathryn Halverson. A Funeral Mass will be held Thursday, February 23, 2012, a 6 PM, from St. Joseph Catholic Church in Prattville, Alabama. His Visitation will be held on Friday, February 24, 2012, from 10 AM – 12 Noon, at Alabama Heritage Funeral Home in Montgomery, followed by his interment in Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo, Alabama, at 2:45 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests all donations are sent to the U.S.O. (United Service Organization) at www.USO.org in the name of Major Jack Crotty. Condolences may be offered at www.alabamaheritagefh.com. Alabama Heritage Directing.