Obituary of Joseph Crawford

Joseph T. Crawford Allegany, NY Joseph T. Crawford of 103 Clarence St. passed away Saturday (January 31, 2015) at Absolut Care of Allegany, surrounded by his loving family. Born July 29, 1921 in Erie, PA he was one of eight children born to Stewart and Josephine Brennan Crawford. He was first married to Margaretta Smith who predeceased him in 1963. On February 14, 1969 at St. Bonaventure Church in Allegany he married June Bockmier Hall who survives. Mr. Crawford graduated from high school in 1942 at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA. He then attended St. Joseph Seminary in Callicoon until he was called to duty in WWII. He enlisted with the US Marines and served in the Pacific Theatre. He attended St. Bonaventure College and then began employment with Clark Bros. Co., now Dresser Rand, in Olean and worked there for forty years as a machinist. He was a member of St. Bonaventure Church where along with his wife he was an involved parishioner. He was an active leader for the local Marriage Encounter group as well as a local prayer group. He also volunteered for 13 years for ECHO and helped at the Nutrition Site for Meals on Wheels. For ten years after his retirement he lived in Holiday, FL where he was active in St. Vincent DePaul's parish as an acolyte and lecturer. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and he especially loved caring for his vegetable garden over the years. Surviving besides his wife are nine sons Tim Crawford, Michael (Carolyn) Crawford of Texas, Gary (Charlene) Crawford of Louisiana, Joseph (Cindy) Crawford of Pennsylvania, Greg Crawford of Olean, Jim (Cynthia) Crawford of Olean, Jerry (Karen) Crawford of Allegany, Chris (Kathy) Crawford of Williamsville, Ernest (Carol) Hall of Albany and three daughters Pam Foster of Olean, Liz Bean of Olean, Deb (Pete) Stokes of Great Valley; 34 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren and a daughter-in-law Nancy Crawford of Allegany. In addition to his wife Margaretta he was predeceased by a son Dennis Crawford and a son-in-law Mike Bean. Friends will be received on Wednesday from 3-7pm at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home 3128 W. State Rd. Olean. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday (February 5, 2015) at 9:30am at St. Bonaventure Church. Rev. James Vacco, OFM, pastor, will be the celebrant. Burial will be in St. Bonaventure Cemetery. Memorials may be made to St. Bonaventure Church or to St. Elizabeth's Convent and Motherhouse, each on E. Main St. Allegany, NY 14706. Online condolences may be expressed at oleanfuneralhome.com.