John Crowley - Obituary

ohn "Sarge" Francis Crowley, USAF, Ret., 76, a 12-year resident of Annapolis died at his home on May 29, 2013. Born June 14, 1936 in Boston, MA, he served in the U.S. Air Force as a ground/airborne radio operator with a Special Ops squadron during the Vietnam War. During his military career, Sarge was stationed at Eglin AFB (where he was a member of the softball team), Ramstein AFB in Germany with the 7th Special Ops Squadron and Warner-Robins AFB with 5th MOB (serving in special section, Talking Bird). He flew with Vice President Bush and had standby orders to fly with President Reagan. John was working Presidential radio the day that President Kennedy was assassinated. He was employed with N.O.A.A. from 1987-2004 doing IT/Telecommunications. Prior to his military service, John played semi professional baseball. He was a member of Andrews Catholic Chapel and the Camp Springs VFW. His hobbies included baseball, coaching little league baseball and basketball, gardening and spending time with his grandchildren. John was also an avid Red Sox and Redskins fan. He was preceded in death by a son, John Richard Crowley; and two sisters, Peggy Knox and Joan Fleming. John is survived by his wife, Bonnie Hardin Crowley, whom he married on February 1, 1960; a daughter, Michelle (Brian) Crowley Quill of Severna Park, MD; three sisters, Frances Kovera and Rosemary Dowling, both of South Boston, MA and Ellen Ryan of Lansdale, PA; three grandchildren, Lily Noelle and Ryleigh Piper Quill and Jonathan R. Crowley; and numerous nieces and nephews. Friends are invited to John's Life Celebration Thursday, from 10am until time of funeral service at 11am at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater. Interment Arlington National Cemetery on Wednesday, July 3 at 1pm. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, PO BOX 758517, Topeka, KS 66675.