James Collie Crawford Jr., 87, of Boston, died recently after a long battle with bladder cancer.
In his own words James said that his 87 years was a good life.
He was married at the age of 20. He then became a loving father, grandfather and great grandfather. He and his wife, Jane McGuire, enjoyed marriage for 66 years. They raised four children who became career workers with interesting spouses and blessed them with grandchildren and great-grandchildren, his legacy.
The St. Benedict and St. Clare parishes were his life churches and he was always as active and faithful as his health allowed.
His work for 30 years at Ford Motor Co. gave him both a fair union wage and lifelong benefits. After retirement he took painting, pen and ink drawing, stained glass and carpentry lessons, which he used for home products, special glass deco hangings, repaired church windows, painted and framed art works for family and friends.
With help, he built a lakeside home where he spent many wonderful years.
His volunteer services were as the St. Clare Cemetery contact, as a Knight of Columbus and a participant in a Respect Life, Washington DC march.
In Lebanon Junction, he served as the Lions Club president for one term. And in residence at the Lake Community, he served as president of the Hurricane Hills Owners Association for six years.
He enjoyed many casino trips with his brothers and daughters. With Jane never as a partner, he competed with her at many card games and domino games.
Together they toured all 50 states except Hawaii.
For 46 years he helped his brother, Stanley, who was loved by all of the family. Spiritually, Mass, EWTN News, the Pope’s messages, scripture programs, praying and talk time together grew his faith.
In his 80’s he made hundreds of greeting cards for Jane’s use. He was humbled by the card owner’s appreciation. Alleluia.
He was preceded in death by one son, Jimmy Crawford; one grandson, Collin Crawford; his parents, Collie and Dorothy Brown Crawford; and two stillborn twin grandsons.
Survivors include his wife, Amanda Jane McGuire Crawford; three daughters, Julie Allen (Tracy), Jamie Argenbright (Joe) and Susy Duncan (Steve); one daughter-in-law, Jimmy Gayle Crawford; five grandchildren, Andrea Thieneman (Joseph), Lindsay Setters (Dusty), Will Allen (Katie), Whitney Thorpe (Justin) and Thomas Crawford (Madison); great grandchildren, Alex Tufono, Anna Tufono, Addy Tufono, Dessie Setters, Tristan Setters, Piper Thorpe, Eleanor Thorpe, Joseph Thorpe, William T. Allen, Maggie Allen, Micah Allen, Morgan James Allen, Mallory Mae Allen, Maeley Thieneman, Gracey Thieneman, and a new child in pregnancy to be announced; and four godchildren, Lillian Leonard, Linda Leonard, Dwight Leonard and Tony Leonard.
A private family celebration of his life will be held.
Expressions of Sympathy may take the form of an outreach to family, masses and acts of kindness to the homebound.
Trowbridge Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.
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