Frederick Crosier

Frederick Elbert Crosier

1909 - 2013 NORTH ADAMS Frederick Elbert Crosier, 104, a lifelong resident of North Adams, died on Dec. 13, 2013. He was born on April 24, 1909. the only child of Rose Lane Moore from North Adams and Frederick Crosier from Greylock. He grew up on the family farm on Protection Avenue where he enjoyed the woods and the fields, the farm and the animals. He loved berry picking and climbing in the apple trees. When the family retired from farming, they moved to a house on Ashland Street in North Adams where Fred attended Mark Hopkins School. Of all his classes, he enjoyed "Shop" most and there he made a maple ladder back chair which remained in his room until his last day. In the shop, he learned to use the printing press and printed all the tickets for the school events. Fred attended Drury High School where, as a freshman, he took his first French course and discovered a love for words and language which lasted the rest of his life. One of his prized possessions was his LaRouse de Poche, pocket French dictionary. When Fred was fifteen, he passed the exam for the Amateur Radio License. (WA1EKR) His uncle, Jim Durocher, helped Fred by putting a radio antenna on a pole which still stands not far from the Ashland Street house location. Also at this time, Fred decided on his own to join The First Methodist Church. He was given a small membership card which he proudly carried in his wallet for the rest of his life. Later he served on the Church Board of Trustees. Fred was also a member of the Lafayette-Greylock Lodge of Masons for 65 years. In 1924, he joined the first Drury High School Band led by James Morley Chambers. Fred played the clarinet. In April in New York City, the band played a concert at Wanamakers Department Store, made a recording at the Thomas Edison Studio and then paraded from the Belmont Hotel to the Hippodrome on 44th Street. He was the last surviving member of the 1924 band. By all accounts, Fred was an excellent figure skater, swimmer, and dancer. He won the lead in the Senior Class play with his ability to do the Charleston. When Fred was eighteen, he met Doris Jane Loomis, then fifteen, and he asked her to go with him to the prom. She also loved to dance and welcomed the opportunity. In 1935, Fred married Jane Loomis at the Notre Dame Church with a reception at her parents' house on River Street. He was 26 and she was 23 and had just graduated from North Adams Normal School (now MCLA). Fred and Jane had two daughters Cynthia and Susan. They were married for 66 years. After high school, Fred worked in the chemistry laboratory of the Arnold Printworks. Later, he worked for GE in Schenectady. In his mid-twenties, Fred went to study at the New York Institute of Photography. This was in the depths of the Depression when many were standing in breadlines. Fred lived at the YMCA and was running out of money. He wired home to his Aunt Maude who sent him $5.00. When the money arrived, Fred had already landed a job retouching photographic negatives. Fred's first job after finishing the course in New York City was as the official photographer for Sprague Electric Company. The company was new and was involved in manufacturing for the war effort. After the war, Fred continued to work for Sprague as Product Engineer in Charge of Dry Electrolytic Capacitors Fred is survived by his daughters, Cynthia Jane and husband James Baird, Susan Carol and husband, C.R. Jones; five grandchildren, James Baird and wife Michelle, Heather Baird and husband, Sean Daly, Graham Jones, Perry Jones and wife, Jacqueline, Amanda Jones Wyckoff and husband, Simon, and four great-grandchildren, Killian Daly, Sofia Jones, Tristan and Cameron Baird. FUNERAL NOTICE: Burial will take place at 2 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 23, at Southview Cemetery. A celebration of Fred's life will be held at Winsor Lake in June 2014. Those who wish may make a contribution in Fred's memory to the Drury High School Band, Drury High School, 1130 South Church ST., North Adams MA, 01247. To send flowers, a gift basket, card or message, please visit www.flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com





This obituary was originally published in the North Adams Transcript.