James F. Crowley

James F. Crowley was born on November 16, 1932 in New Haven, CT. He passed away at Regal Care Health Center on February 12, 2024 in Harwich, MA after a courageous battle with cancer and cardiac illnesses.

Son of Stephen C. and Wilhelmina Crowley. Jim was predeceased by his sister Eleanore Roche and Ralph of North Haven, CT, and his brother, the Reverend Stephen L. Crowley of Hamden, CT. Jim was also predeceased by his two infant sons, James and Stephen and most recently, his beloved daughter, Sharon St. Clair (67) of Yarmouth, MA.

Jim leaves behind his high school sweetheart and devoted wife of 72 years, Eleanor Czuchra Crowley of Chatham, MA. He will be missed by his beloved daughter, Kathleen Ellen Landry (Steven) of La Grange, GA and their families. He will be truly missed by his loving grandchildren: Margaret Landry, Molly Pharr (Ryan), Steven Landry (Zebbie), Rebecca Gillis (Ryan), Amy Stewart, Carrie Watkins, and Kristen Cobb (Stuart). Jim was also the proud great grandfather of Autumn Dearborn (Elliot), Sadie Cobb, Lydia Green, Jamie Green, Emalie Williams (Michael), Timothy Stewart, Joseph Watkins, Kaitlyn Watkins, Lilly Merritt and Nolan and Eleanor Pharr. Jim was the great, great grandfather of Easton and Everett Dearborn, Lily Watkins, and Toby and Elias Williams.

Jim and Ele are extremely proud of their extended family. Indeed, the good Lord has blessed them abundantly.

Jim grew up in Hamden, CT and graduated in 1950 from Hamden High where he enjoyed playing on the varsity basketball team. After high school, he entered the Southern Connecticut State Teachers College, where he completed one semester before joining the United States Air Force. Jim received basic training at Sampson Air Force Base and became a radio instructor at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois.

On Jim’s official orders, he was going to be transferred to Alamogordo, NY. Sometime later on, the government corrected the typo and was actually assigned to the missile testing facility, Holloman Air Force Base in Alamogordo, NM. Jim and Ele decided to get married prior to the NM transfer on September 20, 1952. Ele was fortunate to transfer her position from Southern New England Telephone Co. to a Wire Chief’s Secretarial position for Mt. State Telephone & Telegraph Company. All telephone companies were under MA Bell at that time.

The Crowley’s enjoyed living their last two years of enlistment in New Mexico with the ideal weather, beautiful mountains and the White Sands Desert National Park surrounding the area. During the following year on Jim’s birthday, they were blessed with a precious baby girl, Sharon Anne.

After being discharged from the Air Force, Jim and Ele returned to East Haven, CT for seven years and again they were blessed with another precious baby girl, Kathleen Ellen. The need for more living space led the Crowley’s to purchasing a home in the quaint town of Old Saybrook, CT where they resided for over 60 happy years.

In 1958, Jim began his teaching career at Guilford Jr. High School, teaching grade 7 and 8 mathematics. From 1963 – 1970, Jim was employed as a 7th grade math teacher, basketball and baseball coach at Old Saybrook Jr. High. In 1970,he became Acting Assistant Principal at Old Saybrook Sr. High School.

July 1, 1971, Jim became the Principal of the Old Saybrook Jr. High School and retired on July 1, 1989, after proudly serving the Old Saybrook School System for 26 years.

Jim enjoyed the years of experiences with the students outside of school. Coaching basketball, baseball, La Castro League on Saturday mornings, religious instructions at St. John’s Church, PTO cookouts, and the pancake breakfasts.

Prior to his principalship, Jim spent the summers as a Dockmaster at the Terra Mar and Essex Island Marinas. Many of his dock boys were former students of the Old Saybrook school system.

Jim was an avid reader, especially books about the Civil War, World War I and II, he enjoyed woodworking, gardening and sports. Jim was a great story teller, Mr. Fix-it as well as a very loyal Yankee’s fan. Jim had a very big heart and was always very generous with his time in helping others. He cherished his quality time with his grandchildren and Jim’s profound faith helped him through a grave illness these past years. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Visitation is being held from 8 – 10 AM on Saturday, February 24, 2024 at Nickerson Funeral Home, 87 Crowell Rd., Chatham followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:30 AM at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, Rt. 137, South Chatham, MA. An Air Force Honor Guard service will occur at the conclusion of Mass.

A Celebration of Jim’s Life in Old Saybrook, CT, will be held at later date in the spring, please sign up for notification through www.nickersonfunerals.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Jim’s memory may be made to Old Saybrook Education Association Scholarship Fund. Please note James Crowley in the Memo Section. OSEA SCHOLARSHIP FUND, C/O Ellen Sumby, KE Goodwin School, 80 Old Boston Post Road, Old Saybrook, CT 06475.