Jeffrey Allen Crozier

Jeffrey Allen Crozier For those whose path he crossed, the loss of Jeff Crozier on May 30th, 2008 has left them reeling with grief and disbelief. But the brain cancer that snatched him from us so quickly has done nothing but bring into clear focus all that he represented. Some people just seem to fill more space in this world -- some by their sheer physical size -- others by their talents and personality. Jeff qualified on all counts. At 6' 6" tall, he towered over most people, but the warmth of his smile drew them in effortlessly; if not eye to eye, then soul to soul. From the time he appeared on this planet, it was clear that Jeffrey Allen Crozier was an "old soul." Wise beyond his years, and with natural abilities already in place, he was at home in any conversation, with any person of any age. He played the piano effortlessly by ear, sang with a warm lyric baritone voice, and could reduce a room full of people to tears of laughter with his quick wit and ability to imitate any dialect. But this was no superficial hail-fellow-well-met. Jeff was deeply spiritual and extended the hand of friendship to anyone in need. Whether striding through a children's hospital ward dressed in full regalia as Father Christmas (which included boots that raised his height to almost 7 feet) passing out candy and warm conversation to each child, or caring for a childhood friend with cerebral palsy when his caregiver couldn't be there, Jeff never failed to step up to the plate. His natural gift as an artist and painter would develop into his life's work, but one of life's gifts to Jeff was when he met and married the love of his life, Christine (Mills) -- an unparalleled artist in her own right. Together they founded Crozier Studios and each established their own following for their individual styles of artistic expression. Whether conducting art seminars in Fiji, or depicting the vineyards of Tuscany on canvas, Jeff and Chris acquired a circle of friends wherever they set up an easel. Jeff painted stunning portraits of Native American people while he and Chris lived in Santa Fe, and breathtakingly beautiful landscapes from their visits to Colorado and all points everywhere. But Jeff was larger than life, and he frequently painted larger than life; so he could also be found at one point on a scaffold in 110 degree heat in the town of Exeter, CA painting a mural which covered the whole side of a building depicting a road leading through the town over which reads "Exeter - Gateway to Sequoia National Park." It is so realistic that the town fathers had to put up a barricade in front of it to prevent motorists from driving INTO the painting. Jeff's sense of whimsy caused him to paint a self-portrait of himself into the mural, as well. Born and raised in Marin, Jeff attended school in Novato and became well known to members of the former Novato Community Club, when he played the drums for their musical theatre productions under the direction of his mother, pianist and musical director, Lorayne Crozier. His father, John Crozier, encouraged Jeff's natural inclination towards social outreach, by guiding him into becoming a fellow Master Mason in the Mill Valley Lodge. His father-in-law, Richard Mills, also holds that distinction. The original mentor of Jeff's painting skills was his uncle, artist Dan Giddings of Forest Knolls. Before Jeff's untimely death, he was scheduled to take over Dan's position as artistic designer for the Bohemian Grove. One cannot write about Jeff Crozier without mentioning his legendary sense of humor, and one of his numerous talents was as costumer extraordinaire. His wife, Chris, shared this passion as well. One prime example of this is when they showed up at San Francisco Airport to bid a festive "bon voyage" to her parents as they left on a trip to Mexico. Chris came dressed as a South American dictator -- complete with a false moustache and militaristic garb. Standing by her side and causing jaws to drop from everyone in the terminal was Jeff -- tall as a tree and authentically attired as Carmen Miranda -- resplendent in every way from the lobster and bananas on his headdress to the maracas in his hands. As an extension of his spiritual nature, Jeff acquired legal authorization to perform ceremonies of marriage, and many couples recited their marital vows under the gentle guidance of his always -- inciteful and warm, nurturing voice. Perhaps most meaningful to his family were the ceremonies he performed for his cousins, Mollie (to Tim) and Robert (to Leslie.) Simultaneously grieving his loss, but celebrating the joy and pride he brought his family are his wife, Christine Crozier of Pacific Grove, his parents, John and Lorayne Crozier of Fairfax, his beloved brother John "Jack" Crozier Jr. of Cotati and Jack's children John and Kaitlyn Crozier, his aunt, Gloria Wood, of Larkspur, his uncle and aunt, Dan and Joanne Giddings of Forest Knolls, his uncle, Ted Bakkila (Kristen Womack), cousins Daniel Giddings, Jr. (Laura) of Oregon, Laura Barret (Michael) of Oregon, Alec Giddings (Barbara) of Windsor and their children, Colin, Tanner and Gabrielle, Sandra Giddings-Higareda (Paco) of Brown's Valley and their children, Danielle, Carmella and Sergio, Mollie Caldwell (Tim) of Cotati, Kattie Giddings McDonald (Jacob) and their son, Jacob of Oregon. Robert Bussman Jr. (Leslie) of Lodi, and their daughter Brooklyn, beloved in-laws Richard and Marlene Mills of Mill Valley and brothers-in-law Jeff, Gregory and Gordon Mills, and his spiritual daughter, Erin Adair Loos of Pomfret, CT. Jeff also leaves behind extended family members so treasured, that to risk leaving one name out would be unthinkable.