G. Paul Crowley

The second child and only son of Thomas Gerald Crowley and Ola Mae (Ryan) Crowley, Paul grew up in Streets Ridge, Nova Scotia, on land that had been settled by his great-great grandfather upon his arrival from Ireland a hundred years earlier. He was a good student, belonged to 4H clubs and was an altar boy at St. Cornelius Church. He moved to Halifax in 1965 to attend the Nova Scotia Institute of Technology and joined Maritime Tel & Tel when he graduated in 1967. He worked there for thirty-three years and then at Eastlink for fifteen years after that, having reached the highest management positions in both companies. On the day he retired, he was informed of a recent poll of the management ranks – when asked who in the entire organization the managers would most like to work for and to learn from, he was ranked first by every one of them.

He met Mary Ann Wallace at a dance at the Jubilee Boat Club in 1968 and they never stopped dancing after that (competitively, in the Tattoo, clearing dance floors at weddings and Christmas parties). They married in 1970 and eventually welcomed sons Jason and Trevor. They were partners in all things – business (restaurants, apartment buildings, property management), election campaigns (including her own), volunteer efforts with the Special Olympics and life at large. She was usually the face of their endeavours, which suited his inward nature, but she would say that he was the driving force of these business and community efforts.

Paul’s virtues were instilled on the farm. He was hard-working, polite, humble. He could fix anything, solve any problem. Nothing riled him. By nature, he was thoroughly good and decent. His own mother called him a “saint.” Everyone he met was equal in his regard and was entitled to the same courtesy and respect. He was reserved but never judgmental, quiet but easy with a laugh. An ideal father, he was kind and patient with his sons. He never scolded or burdened them with unfair expectations, but always led by example.

Paul loved old cars and old music, especially Johnny Cash. He was unfussy about food and most everything else, too. He was handsome, though it never seemed to have occurred to him, and was always well-dressed with minimal effort. Children and dogs were naturally drawn to him. He was happiest spending time with his granddaughters, who loved him dearly.

His loss will be endured, and his memory cherished by Mary Ann, Jason, Trevor (Kim), and grandchildren Kate and Mary. He is survived as well by his sisters Elizabeth Meagher, Eileen (Don) Couse and Patricia Nixon. He was predeceased by his sister Bernice (Joe) Mahoney and brothers-in-law Tom Wallace, John Meagher and John Nixon.

Paul led a selfless life in service to his family and they are humbled by his love and devotion.

Visitation will be held at JA Snow Funeral Home (339 Lacewood Drive) from 2:00-4:00 and from 7:00-9:00 PM on Monday, November 28th. A funeral service will take place at St. Agnes Church (6903 Mumford Road) at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, November 29th. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Special Olympics Nova Scotia (specialolympicsns.ca) or the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada (Alzheimer.ca).