Hugh W. Crawford, Jr.
Hugh W. (Buzz) Crawford, Jr. passed away on May 26, 2021 in Fort Myers, FL. Born in 1923, he was the son of Hugh Wadsworth and Pearle Longley Crawford. A graduate of Bartlett High School, he matriculated to Tufts University where he joined Theta Delta Chi. Buzz served as an Ensign in the United States Naval Reserve during World War II.
His wife of 71 years, Harriet Kimberly Crawford, predeceased him in 2016. He also leaves their children Laura Crawford Pepin (Larry) of Springfield, VT; Caroline Ayres (Steve) of Centerville, MA; Johanna Rakauskas (Rick) of Wakefield, RI, Jane Crawford (Fred Parsons) of Fort Myers, FL, as well as four grandchildren (Kimberly Rakauskas, Ryan Rakauskas, Abigail Trayers and Rebecca Ayres), three great grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. Two sisters, Nancy Waite of Dudley, MA and Julia Lanman of Lexington, MA and a grandson, Errol Pepin, preceded him in death.
Buzz enjoyed a successful career in the textile industry as President and CEO of the Stevens Linen Company in Dudley, MA. While he was best known as the inventor of the calendar towel, he was most proud of establishing the first Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) among New England textile manufacturers for all personnel. He was inducted to the American Textile Hall of Fame in 2010 in recognition of his innovative approach to developing unique yarns woven into decorative fabrics that became known as “the Stevens look”.
He served as a Trustee of the American Textile History Museum, Nichols Academy and Sturbridge Village, and was on the Textile Advisory Board at UMass-Dartmouth, MA.
In the Webster-Dudley community, Buzz was associated with the Webster Five Cents Savings Bank for fifty years before retiring as Chairman of the Board in 1995. He was also a Director of the Webster-Dudley United Way and the Hubbard Regional Hospital, as well as Treasurer of the Church of the Reconciliation in Webster. Buzz was recognized “Man of the Year” by the Webster-Dudley-Oxford Chamber of Commerce in 1972.
In addition to his dedication to business and community service, he was an avid sailor and man of the sea enjoying a lifetime of pleasure racing and cruising the New England and eastern US coastal waters.
There are no calling hours, and a memorial service will be at the discretion of the family. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Pearle L. Crawford Library, 40 Schofield Avenue, Dudley, MA 01571, of which he was the major benefactor.
The ROBERT J. MILLER FUNERAL HOME and LAKE CHAPEL, 366 School St., Webster is honored
To be directing local arrangements.
To leave an online condolence, please visit:RJMillerfunerals.net