Rupert Patrick Crawford

1943 - 2018

Rupert Patrick Crawford

Bushkill, PA - Rupert Patrick Crawford, a lifelong resident of Plainfield, New Jersey, who recently moved to Bushkill, Pennsylvania, suddenly and unexpectedly died of a heart attack on May 20, 2018. He was 75.

Rupert was born in Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies on April 24, 1943 to Harold and Olga Crawford. He was admitted to the United States on February 19, 1949. Rupert attended the New York City Public School System and was a graduate of Dewitt Clinton High School of Music and Arts. Rupert received his Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Tougaloo College in 1965, Tougaloo, Mississippi and his Master of Arts degree from Newark State College in 1970 (Kean University) in Newark, New Jersey. Rupert was employed as a Social Service Worker for the NYC Board of Social Services in the Bronx, New York. He later moved to Rahway, New Jersey after accepting a job as Personnel manager for Humble Oil and Refining Company (EXXON Refinery). After leaving Humble Oil, Rupert worked in Higher Education in the EOF administration at Essex County College and Fairleigh Dickerson University. Rupert shifted careers and became a licensed Stockbroker for several Brokerage Houses until his retirement. In his retirement he continued to work as a substitute teacher in the South Plainfield system with a passion for literacy, art and track & field.

He enjoyed playing golf, bridge and poker. Rupert was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He was a Master Mason of Stone Square Lodge #38 of Plainfield New Jersey. He was a member of the Rahway Rotary Club. He was a member of the League of Women Voters where he served terms as president and treasurer. He was also a volunteer for many community groups.

Rupert was an activist during the Civil Right movement in college. He was arrested for his involvement in the Woolworth lunch counter Sit-In during the 1963 protests in Mississippi. He was a spiritual man and was a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Plainfield and the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Church of the Poconos after moving to Bushkill, Pennsylvania. He will be deeply missed by his friends and all who knew him.

Rupert is survived by his wife, A. Jean (nee Robinson) his children Donna Renee Gill of Westfield, Indiana, Joyel Persofsky and husband Jake of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Cheryl Roberts (nee Jervis) and her husband Wendell, Midlothian, Virginia, Karen Robinson (nee Crawford) and husband Mario, Champaign, Illinois, his aunt Lucille Harrison of the Bronx, New York, his niece Angela (Angie) Nelson, of Valley Cottage, New York. There are numerous family members including nieces, nephews, cousins and good friends. He is preceded in death by his parents Harold and Olga of Plainfield, New Jersey, Sister Sonia Nelson of Bronx, New York, his aunt Clarice Crawford of Montego Bay, West Indies.

Joyce M. Scheyer and The Reverend Canon Clive Oscar Sang, Deacon will officiate. Repast will be held in A Celebration of Life Service is schedule for 10:00AM at Grace Episcopal Church on June 9th, 600 Cleveland Ave, Plainfield, 07060. The Reverend the Church Hall after the service. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Rupert's' life.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in memory of Rupert Crawford to Tougaloo College, Office of Institutional Advancement, 500 W County Line Road, Tougaloo, MS, 39174, by mail Or online at Https://donate.tougaloo.edu/donation/. Please select the tab earmarked "Civil Rights Chair" Please put Rupert Crawford in the memo section for proper reporting. The family will appreciate any acts of kindness in his memory.