Edward Crowell

Obituary of Edward Crowell A 17-year resident of Leesburg, Edward Joseph Crowell, 87, died peacefully June 5 from complications following a fall at home. His life was a joyful journey that took him from his birth in Newark, NJ to upstate New York, Miami, the Jacksonville Beaches, California, Georgia and finally Central Florida. As a teenager with U.S. Navy orders in hand, he found himself in Brazil in case World War II spread there. As an old salt re-enlistee after nearly 20 years of civilian workaday struggle in many different jobs, he sailed repeatedly from Naval Station Mayport (Fl.) to the Mediterranean on the U.S.S. Saratoga aircraft carrier. Aboard the U.S.S. McCaffery destroyer he was part of the critical blockade Russian ships delivering more missiles to Cuba. In Vietnam, he was on smaller boats supplying much younger men fighting a controversial war he didn't want his sons to join. Ed was never all about the military. Beginning with his marriage Sept. 13, 1947 to his beloved Teddy (Marjorie Jean Palmer), he was intent on raising a family with love as a dependable provider and caring father. He and Teddy (known mostly as Jean) were together through almost 67 years of laughs, frowns, challenges and travels. They brought up four sons and welcomed their wives: Edward Jr. and Lynda of Austin, TX, Richard and Barbara of Duluth, Mn., James and Donna of Hatfield, Ma., and Christopher of Punta Gorda, Belize. Six grandchildren and six great grandchildren followed. Wherever they lived, most every year family members visited Florida or Ed and Jean came to see them. No matter where Ed traveled or how much in a hurry those with him might have been, he never let pass a chance to make a new friend. He always had a nice word or sometimes a maddening lengthy exchange for store cashiers, ticket takers, neighbors or strangers crossing his path .For people in need of a helping hand, Ed was there to offer what he could regardless of skills or resources. He felt God would want it that way and Ed was secure in his faith. He and Jean attended Mass every Sunday at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Leesburg. With the Knights of Columbus in Jacksonville Beach, he spent many Easters cooking and serving dinner for senior citizens. No one could be richer than Ed in the things that mattered most to him " love and family. Ed let his sons and their families know how proud he was of them during every visit and phone call. Most of all, he made it clear that the woman he loved so much was the rock upon which his life was built. He didn't wait until an anniversary or a knock on death's door to tell the world just that. Ed started out without privilege or much of an education. He didn't achieve high rank or a wealth in dollars. But he paid attention to the world at large, free of prejudice and with respect for others. He could argue differences of opinion with his sons and part with hugs. Toward the end of his long, winding road he acknowledged that luck played a part in his success. But the truth is he simply made the best choices about what's really valuable in life. It was an example that will last for generations. A service at the Hawthorne of Leesburg community center will be announced later.

Edward Crowell

June 5, 2014