Steven Michael “Crow” Crowley, age 73
A nearly life-long resident of Franklin, Crow spent over six decades building relationships and making memories with so many in and around 02038.
After graduating from Franklin High School in 1969, he enlisted in the US Navy. He ran the USS Laffey ship store for nearly two years and, a few years ago, proudly visited the vessel in Charlotte, SC. The story goes that, during his service on the USS Laffey, he came home more times than you can count on two hands for “family weddings and funerals,” AKA excuses to see his, then girlfriend, now wife of nearly 53 years, AnnMarie. While perhaps not the best way to serve, it makes for a typical Crow story. If nothing else, he loved strong. And he sure did love her.
As the decades-long owner of Crowley’s Office Supplies, Crow’s II Office Supplies, and SMC Associates, he was known as one of the most honest, and knowledgeable small business owners around. Countless stories have been told through the years about how Crow went above and beyond to help business owners and individuals with his generosity and care. He spent many years as a much loved bartender, most memorably at the Knights of Columbus, Ficco’s Bowladrome lounge, and THE BLACK BOX, where he sparked up easy conversations and knew the exact specifications of how everyone liked their drinks. He loved to “shoot the s—t” with the best of them.
Crow served as the Franklin Rotary president from 1996-1997 and he was a proud member of the Franklin Lodge of Elks, the Knights of Columbus, and St. Anthony’s Society. He was also a member of Franklin’s bi-centennial group, “Brothers of the Brush.” Few know what went on in that group, and we are fairly positive that its members wanted it that way. Crow spent decades as an avid bowler at Ficco’s Bowladrome, he played softball for years (#00) for the K of C, and spent many years as a member of the Franklin Country Club.
He was a self-appointed driver for family, friends, and strangers. He drove people absolutely anywhere, anytime, and under any circumstance. Without hesitation. He practically had a second home at Market Basket, and was surely considered a regular. Crow wore shorts all winter long, ripped up $1-$100 bills if people attempted to pay for dinner or a night out, and he mowed his lawns with pride and within an inch of their green lives.
He liked his steak well-done (“You see the color of your black apron? Like that. Black!”), and he liked his peppers hot. He hated when people leaned back on two legs of their chairs instead of staying on all four, and he equally hated when people ate off of foil with a fork instead of using a plate. He loved red solo cups, Ritz Crackers, and playing cards. He collected fun ties and had one for every holiday and occasion.
He was a proud member of the twice-yearly Rounds. If you were one of the “lucky” ones to know, well, you know. Easter and Christmas mornings will never be the same. His fire pit in Pocasset (Cape Cod) hosted fires that were larger than most were comfortable with and, while he’d never eat one, he found much joy in bringing fresh quahogs from the bay to the backyard for family and friends to enjoy.
Crowisms, such as “Ya think?”, “You got that right”, “Didja get any on ya?”, “Legit legit”, “How ARE ya?”, “Is this a long story?” and “Are you alright?!” will be forever repeated among his friends and family - all with his accent, of course!
He treated everybody the same: honorably. It didn’t matter to him if you were a king or pauper; he was a loyal, true blue friend.
Though respected and loved by many, Crow was loved the most by his granddaughters, Hannah and Maddie, “the spoiled brats.” As their Papa, he spent every morning of their early years at their kitchen island. His daughter, Kim, would walk downstairs in the morning and there he’d be, just waiting to see H and M when they woke up. There was no better way to start his day, whether he spent one minute or one hour with them. Hannah and Maddie’s home and college friends adopted him as their Papa, too. He, and they, loved every minute of it. Starting with Maddie and Hannah’s first performance at the age of three, Papa did not miss a single opportunity to see them perform, and they even had the amazing opportunity to share the stage on a number of occasions. He was, without question, their #1 fan.
Crow had an uncanny knack for breaking things-large and small-and appreciated being able to call his son-in-law, Guy, to fix all the things. “I don’t know what I did. I’m me.” Guy would fix it and then wait to be called again…soon.
While he’d do anything for anybody at any time, this was especially the case for daughter, Kim. He knew what she needed before she even knew it herself…butterfly kisses…
He was the middle sibling of seven and is survived by brothers, Bob, Ric, Mike and Paul Crowley, and sisters, Jane Harrold and Kathy Prentice. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Peter Bertoni and sisters-in-law, Nancy Woodward and Betsy Bertoni, many nieces, nephews, cousins and countless dear friends, many that have been in his life since high school. To say he will be missed in an epic understatement.
With AnnMarie, he proudly and unconditionally spent years taking care of many Pecci family relatives, especially Angie and Usher Bertoni, Maffie and Louie D’Afile and Fred and Jan Pecci. His unselfishness, do-whatever-needs-to-be-done attitude and his willingness to completely upend his day-to-day schedule for their needs was admirable and remarkable to witness. He was devoted to each of them during the last years of their lives simply because it was the right thing to do, so he did it.
This is, we think, Crow’s legacy. He did the right thing because it was always the right thing to do.
Crow attended countless memorial gatherings through the years and always felt it was very important to pay his respects. However, he much preferred to give a call or show up on someone’s doorstep with some of AnnMarie’s Italian cookies in hand, to show his love and support. He was very vocal that, upon his passing, he did not want a big to-do or even any sort of to-do at all. So, in your time, please PLEASE gather with friends in your kitchen, raise a glass, share some food and stories, and enjoy a laugh (or twelve) in honor of Crow. It’s exactly how he’d want it.
On the evening that he passed, Crow’s family heard that he had been approved to be a multiple organ donor. AnnMarie got off the phone and said, “how special…he’s going places…”. This is the greatest gift.
Donations in Crow’s memory are encouraged to be made out to a charity of your choice.
At the family’s request, a private service will be held.
The Charles F. Oteri and Son Franklin Funeral Home 33 Cottage St. is honored to assist the Crowley family.
Guestbook www.oterifuneralhome.com