Obituary of Howard Crawford

CRAWFORD, Howard Gordon January 4, 1937 - July 16, 2016 As the result of complications caused by a catastrophic stroke suffered on July 12, Howard passed away peacefully at the Greater Niagara General Hospital following a week surrounded by his closest family. Predeceased by his first wife of 56 years, Pat and his beloved parents Gordon and Edith Crawford. Survived by his second wife Bernice (nee Ronson) and family; his sister Joanne (Michael) Ennis and family; his daughter Trish Crawford (Jacques Beaudoin); his son Todd (Johanne Cote-Crawford); his brother-in-law Donald Barnes and family; and his cherished grandchildren Max and Eva Beaudoin; Isabelle Cote, Caleb and Noah Crawford. Howard was born in Toronto, Ontario and spent his entire life in Southern Ontario. He and Pat married in Parkhill, Ontario and settled in St. Catharines where they spent all their married life and raised their family. Howard was a Chartered Accountant by training and spent more than 20 years as a C.A. working most recently for Crawford Beaton Wills (currently Wormald Masse Keen Lopinski LLP). At the age of 48 he undertook a radical career change and became a Partner at a local construction firm Kenmore Homes where he worked and thrived until he retired at the age of 65. Howard was very active in his community as a board member for Family and Children Services Niagara, Star of the Sea Life Lease Community and St. Alfred's Jubilee Place Life Lease Community. As a philanthropist, Howard supported a wide variety of causes and most recently was a Founding Community Donor at the new First Ontario Performing Arts Centre in St. Catharines. He also played an active role in his church and in his later years enjoyed time cheering on his grandchildren in their various activities. In his retirement Howard enjoyed a variety of travel, his Investment Club, time spent at the cottage and fun with family and friends. On June 25th of this year, Howard married for a second time after being widowed for over a year. His family was delighted to witness him find love for a second time at the age of 79. The family would like to thank the doctors, nurse-practitioners and nursing staff at the Stroke Unit of the Greater Niagara General Hospital for their professional, caring response and sensitive advice at a very difficult time. In accordance with Howard's wishes, cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held at the GEORGE DARTE FUNERAL CHAPEL, 585 Carlton Street, St. Catharines, on Sunday, July 24, from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. A Memorial Service celebrating Howard's Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 25, 2016 at Church of the Transfiguration, 320 Glenridge Ave, St. Catharines. A private interment will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorial donations in Howard's name to the Niagara Community Foundation; http://niagaracommunityfoundation.org/