William Joseph Crossen

He was born the third child and second son of Hugh J and Mary E McDonald Crossen on December 4, 1942, in Boston, Massachusetts. He received an associates degree in electronic engineering from Franklin Institute of Boston in 1963. Later, earning a BA in international relations specializing in Egyptian studies from the naval postgraduate school in Monterey, California.

In 1968 he married Patricia Ann Connolly. Together they gave life to two children, Jeff and Kim. Bill loved his family selflessly and generously through the years.

Commander Crossen entered the Navy as an enlisted man in the naval reserve at South Weymouth Naval Air Station while still in high school. After that he was assigned as a crew man, flying the P2V Neptune. During this period, he was striving to get his higher education to qualify for pilot training. He was commissioned an ensign and assigned to VAW-13 in Alameda, California. After his squadron was decommissioned, he entered flight training in Pensacola, Florida. Designated a Naval Aviator and carrier qualified in fixed wing aircraft. The carrier he was assigned was the USS Wasp, the only wooden flight deck left in the Navy.

Commander Crossen transitioned to rotary wing aircraft and trained in an SH-3 in Key West, Florida. He transferred to HS-5 in Quonset Point, Rhode Island and cruised on several different aircraft carriers, i.e. Wasp, Essex, and Forrestal.

It was during this period he met the love of his life and started a family.

Commander Crossen enjoyed many years in the Tailhook Association and the Naval Helicopter Association.

His last assignments were to postings at the Pentagon as senior operations officer to the joint chiefs and similarly posting as military operation for the state department.

Commander Crossen is very proud of his family and offspring. Golfing, swimming, baseball, movies, and preparing meals were daily highlights best remembered by Max telling his mother “Poppy is the best cook!”

His favorite times were after retirement when he hosted his grandsons Max, Forrest, and Grey. Where he taught them to bet on horses at the track. They played ball almost every day and played golf at the Naval Air Station and movies at World Golf Village along with miniature golf where the boys taught him the importance of a good foot wedge.

Commander Crossen and Pat attended mass and tithed at our Lady Star of the Sea and more recently at Holy Family and St. Joseph’s in Mandarin.

He leaves behind his beloved wife Pat of 56 years, his son Jeff his wife Sandi her two kids Chris and Kimberly her husband Brandon their two kids Mallory and Lukas, his daughter Kim and grandsons Forrest, Max, and Grey and his sisters Mary St. Jean of Braintree, MA and the late Nancy Foley of Pembroke, MA and his beloved nieces and nephews.

He will be dearly missed.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Community Hospice Palliative Care 4266 Sunbeam Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32257 or give on line at support.communityhospice.com