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Robert Crawford Obituary
Jennifer Eppolito has dozens of reasons to call her father, Robert Crawford, great: He would stand outside Brooklyn churches in all kinds of weather, selling raffle tickets to benefit St. Rose's Home, a cancer hospital. When he was honored for his work, he would not want to be in any photographs.
He told her, when she was little, "It's more important to listen to what people are saying than it is always to talk."
He was a firefighter for 32 1/2 years.
"You could ask him about anything, like how does a refrigerator work, and he would be able to sit there and put it into pieces you would understand," she said.
When Mrs. Eppolito's daughter, Alexandra, was born, Mr. Crawford took flowers in a vase with the Virgin Mary on it. He taught Alexandra her address by the time she was 2. He called her Poo Poo, and at 62, played Barbies with her.
"To describe my father as great, that's not even a good enough word," Mrs. Eppolito said. "I was lucky for him to be my father. There is no other man that, in my eyes, could stand up to him."
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Plácido perrx
October 30, 2023
hombres así hacen grande a un país. Descanse en paz. Dios te bendiga.
Del Newberry
December 20, 2021
Modest, helpful, great. This country has a serious need for men of this caliber. May we honor Robert's legacy by striving to be as he was. Much love to the family. With love from Texas,
Cindy Roe
September 5, 2021
Remembering Robert on the 20 anniversary of 9/11...
Paula Smith
September 11, 2016
We want forget
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Mary Ann Cobos Boyd
Mary Ann Boyd
September 17, 2015
the part where it says "he played barbies with his girl" just touched my heart... My husband was a firefighter in PA many years till he moved here to TX to marry me.. now that we have our granddaughter (he never had kids of his own) he knows all the frozen songs.. and all barbie characters more than I(grandma) does... lol God please continue to cover this family with your strength!
Robin Crawford
November 12, 2012
To the family of Mr Robert James Crawford: We don't know each other, but I visited Ground Zero and the 9/11 Memorial on this past Saturday, November 10,2012. When I walked in, I was drawn toward the pools immediately and walked directly up to Mr Crawford's name. I felt a real connection to him as soon as I looked down and saw his name because my name is Robin Crawford, thus our initials are the same, RC. I am sorry for your loss but please be comforted by the fact that Mr Crawford was helping to save others when he died. God bless you and your family
Katie Volner
June 30, 2012
My name is Katie and I am participating in the Hero Rush Mud Run in Pomona california. All proceeds benefit the National Firefighters Association. At 1230 today will be the 343 wave to honor all the firefighters who gave their lives in 9-11. I am one of those runners in the wave and I am running in memory of Robert Crawford. God Bless
Krissy Nankoo
September 11, 2011
Thinking of you and your family! We miss you all. And we miss Robert the most. We lived across the street from him and his sweet family. He used to tell my siblings and I that he was Santa Claus. And we always believed him. Such a warm hearted gentleman.
September 6, 2011
Carolann Bradford Cotlow
October 17, 2010
May God Bless you, Robert Crawford. I didn't know you, but; I am so very sorry for what happened to you and all those of September 11.
Ann Mallon
October 16, 2010
I took me a while to figure out what I wanted to write about Bob. Everyone knows he was a wonderful man. But Bob was more than that, he had a way of making you feel special when you where around him. What an amazing gift he had. It's so sad for me to think that all of his grandchildren will miss out on that. I was lucky enough to have known Bob since I was 13 years old.
Some people don't understand how the lives that were lost that day effect gernerations of families. So we must keep the memories,stories and pictures alive forever. They, of course, will never replace Bob, but that's all we have. Thank God we have each other.
dennis ivany
September 15, 2009
we shall not ever forget all who lost there lives on 9/11. we in my family shall not forget at least as long as we live. we were at UVA hospital in VA on 9/11, my wife was giving birth to our oldest son. he was born 3 days later on 9/14/01. we named him seth. so we have a way to never forget, we look at him ever day. my father is a ironworker in jersey city nj. he was working on the hudson project straight across the river on that day. along all my family who are iron workers in ny. my father and most all others in that area, helped find the missing folks. he still has bad nightmares and smells the smell of saddness of the ones who had past away. so i will remeber all. we will miss you all. the IVANY family.
September 11, 2009
Jennifer, We are thinking of your family today. We miss you!
Love,
Jackie and Darren Redmond
Doug Abraham
March 16, 2009
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
Andrea
April 14, 2008
Dear,Robert Crawford
Thank you for saving people's live on September 11, 2001. You are the best hero in the United States.
Kristine
October 23, 2006
As I cross-stitched your name on the memorial that I am doing for all of the victims, I prayed for you and your family. Please know that your death was not in vain. We will always remember. God Bless.
Shawn Southmore Intermediate School
September 28, 2006
thanks for risking your life for the sake of the people.
P Tabbernor
September 16, 2006
In remembrance....
Evelyn B
September 15, 2006
Thank you for your courage and bravery. We will never forget all of the heroes of 9/11. God Bless!
tom russell
September 12, 2006
courage and valor under fire rip , condolences to your friends and family
Sarah Bullard
September 11, 2006
God bless you and your family, always. Hope all is well and that you have even more nieces and nephews than before!
Best,
James Johnson
September 11, 2005
God Bless You...
Regina Bucher
September 30, 2004
I just received a memorial bracelet, by chance, with your name on it. What an honor it is to meet you through these tributes. I am in Law Enforcement. I went to Ground Zero this year for a memorial service. I thank and pray for all those who remain. Our heroes are not gone, just gone ahead.
Myron Shulman
September 11, 2004
Today is the third sad anniversary of that horrendous day. The New York FDNY did us proud on that day. While others ran out of the buildings, they ran in, risking life and limb. Just 2 days earlier, at the Great Irish Fair, I spent the day with many of New Yorks' Bravest; not knowing what was coming in the days ahead. God bless Robert and his family!
Alyssa Crawford
September 7, 2004
I am sooo sorry about the lose and i just want u to know how badly i feel for u and ur family!!
Eileen Cruz
September 11, 2003
Uncle Bob
You will always be remembered for your kindness,generosity, and love of life. I miss seeing you selling raffles in front of our church. It was something the boys and I looked forward to each year. We'll continue to support St. Rose's in your memory. Thanks for being an example to the boys. I hope they will follow in your footsteps and learn the importance of giving to others. You are always in our hearts!
Love
Eileen
Jennifer Eppolito
September 11, 2003
My name is Jennifer I 'am Robert's daughter I just wanted to say thank you to my friend's,family and everyone else who left such heartwarming messages. We will never forget Daddy! Love you!
Maureen Salvatore (Zmolil)
September 12, 2002
God Bless The Crawford Family and God Bless America!
Lisa Danella
August 27, 2002
Jennifer, Mark, and family: Once again, I am so sorry for the loss of your father - I remember him as a very good, very decent man. My (and my family's) prayers are with you.
Carole
April 30, 2002
God has granted me many blessings in this life. Among them was the privilege bestowed upon me of having Robert Crawford as a part of my family. God gave me 40 years to know and learn from him. Rare to find all his qualities wrapped up into one person - as solid as a rock you could always depend on; more honest than the day is long; a fountain of information, whether useful or un; caring, kind and hysterically funny; in good times and in bad you had only to look over your shoulder and he appeared. No trip was ever too long - whether the occasion was a huge one, or huge only to the celebrant. I would need a volume to write all the things I've learned from knowing him, and only hope I can pass some of it on for him.
Bobby, I'm sure you're keeping the angels in stitches. I'm just wondering if they have plaid wings.
Love you forever.
Carole
Veronica Roberts
April 26, 2002
Dear Jennifer and family,
Who would have imagined that our paths would have crossed again on September 11, 2001. I wish I had know your Parents. Your Dad sounds like a special person.
You know you are in my thoughts always.
Love Michael's Mom, Eng 214, Veronica Roberts
Angie Campbell
April 23, 2002
**********GOD BLESS YOU**********
Margie Close
April 19, 2002
To the Crawford Family, I did not know your Husband, Dad or Grandfether,but,I know Christine and when I hear her speak of him I feel the love and warmth of your lives together. I thank him and all of you fro the bottom of our hearts for sharing him with us. It takes a special person to be a Fireman and/or a Cop.
May God Bless all of you and keep you all safe.
Margie Close 4/19/02
Judith Ludwig
April 5, 2002
Hello to the Family of Robert Crawford:
I wear a "Mercy" band I got from the Calvary Chapel in Albuquerque, with your Dad's name on it, every day. After reading about him in the Portraits article, I am very honored to do so. I think about that horrible event every day.
I hope your family has peace, knowing your Dad was such a wonderful man and that he gave gifts of himself all of his career and life.
Sincerely,
Judith Ludwig - Albuquerque, NM
traci demeri
April 2, 2002
jen, i love you and your family with all my heart and reading this just brought back all the great memories i have of your father and how much fun he was and how he always treated me like part of your family. there is not a day that goes by that i dont think about him and all of you.
Connie Leist
March 25, 2002
To all the Crawford family: My sincere condolances to all of you. I did not know Robert but I know Dorothea. We pray for you and hope God will comfort all of you. Sincerely, Connie Leist, L.I. Chapter President.
Laura Curley
March 12, 2002
Jennifer,
I am struggling for the words. After reading your amazing tribute to your dad, I felt as though we are kindred spirits. I always knew being a fireman made my dad a hero to others, but it was him being a great dad that made him my hero. Now your dad is my hero too. God Bless you and your family.
Ray Eisenhart
March 11, 2002
Dear Jennifer,
I doubt if you have ever heard of me, but I was stationed with your father while we were both in Dover Delaware while in the Airforce. We were roommates for most of that time. We did a lot of things together during that time. Some good and some that whould probably not be mentioned. One thing he always talked about was being a firefighter, but I never knew if he made it, until now.
My daughter found your tribute on the internet after I found out from another friend of your dad's and mine that your father perished in the trade center disaster. I had a bad feeling the day after it happened, but didn't know how to go about getting the information I needed.
I know there isn't anything I can say or do to ease your pain, but I just wanted to let you know that he was a special friend while I knew him and I still think about him often, and probably always will when I think of times gone by. I will never forget him.
Jim Morrissey
March 10, 2002
Uncle Bob
I realy don't know what to put here I'm not great at writeing out things like this.When Alison died you were there to help Dad out and I honestly believe you made his life alot eaiser to move on with I hope she was one of those that met you at the gate.I cannot rember a time when you were not there and even though I haddnt seen you for a while I will never forget the way you were.The fact that when dad brought Edward over to your house you cared for him the way you cared for all of us as if we were your own children.I will never forget you and will continue to love you forever.
Love
Jim
marilyn williams
February 7, 2002
Thank you for sharing the gifts of your husband and father with us, so we can know the nature of the man we all have lost from this life. You and your father/husband/grandfather will remain in our thoughts and prayers forever, in gratitude for the privilege of learning of real greatness.
karyn
January 9, 2002
mr.crawford,
you were one of the best customers i ever had. i love you and your wife and the rest of the crawford clan. my thoughts and prayers are with you all often. rest in peace.
Teresa Jahn
January 5, 2002
Our hearts thank Robert for dedicating his life to help others as a firefighter. Such a profession comes with a brave, warm and caring heart. May Robert's courage, life and love live on in those who love him and in those who have been touched by his life. May you always feel the warmth of his love radiate into your hearts. May the sorrow you feel today be lighten by the warmth of yesterdays memories. We are extrememly sorry for our nation's loss of Robert. Our hearts cry deeply with you in America's loss of a hero.
America Cries
We see your sorrow-
and our hearts cry....
We can not erase your pain
but you do not have to face the anguish alone-for we-
-the American people-
are beside you.
We so desperately want to have the touch that brings you comfort,
the strength that gives you courage,
and the words to lighten your spirits.
And when we are left speechless
may the silence of our nation weave love into your hearts
to ease your sorrow.
May you find healing through our nation's strength as we-
-the American people-
face this difficult time together. Our hearts are with you. Teresa Jahn
Dixon, IL
Anonymous
January 1, 2002
MAY THE LORD BLESS YOU ROBERT
CRAWFORD AND MAY YOU REST IN PEACE.
GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
GOD BLESS ALL FIREMEN AND GOD BLESS
AMERICA AND MAY WE NEVER FORGET 0/11/01
Judy Cherbonneau
December 8, 2001
There was a long line waiting at Heaven's door on September 11, and you were one of the Heroes who waited to get his wings. Now that you have those wings, you are an Angel and live in peace with God. I never met you, but want your family to know there are very few moments in the day that I do not think about the sacrifices your Hero, Robert as his 342 fellow firefighters made on the day no one will ever forget! My thoughts and prayers continue to be with you and your loved ones. I am so sorry for their loss.
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