John W. Crowningshield

MAGNOLIA — John W. Crowningshield, husband of the late Mary C. (Leslie) Crowningshield of Magnolia, died Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009 at Den-Mar Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, Rockport, exactly 11 years to the day of Mary's death.

Born in Boston, on May 24, 1921, he attended Browne & Nichols School in Cambridge, before moving to Greenfield, where he graduated from Greenfield High School in 1939. After graduating from Colgate University in 1942, he joined the U.S. Army Air Corps, serving with the 15th Air Force as a Staff Sgt. Armament ground crew chief on B-24 heavy bombers in the Italian theater.

He married Mary C. Leslie on July 28, 1945 at the Leslie Lindsey Chapel, Emmanuel Church, Boston.

John was co-owner with his father of Crowningshield-Harris Co., a machine tool manufacturer in Greenfield. He later sold the business and moved his family to Magnolia in 1956 and worked for Commercial Filters Corp., Melrose, and later joined the United Shoe Machinery Corporation in Beverly, until his retirement in 1986.

An avid Red Sox fan, he was thrilled with the 2004 World Series win! He enjoyed playing for the Rockport Townies team in 1948. His love for baseball was evident at his grandson Ross' games, where you would find John on a summer's night, keeping stats all along. He taught Ross the love of the game.

After he, his wife, Mary and daughters, moved to Magnolia, John became actively involved in community affairs and was a dedicated advocate. Years later, he came to be affectionately known as the "Mayor of Magnolia". John served as President and Treasurer for the Magnolia Community Association, the Magnolia Library Center and the Magnolia Historical Association. He put in countless hours collecting, organizing and archiving Magnolia's history. He was proud of his participation in creating the Surf Park, the library's brick path, organizing the annual Magnolia road race and the Summer Art exhibit; where he enjoyed sharing Mary's lovely watercolor paintings.

He proudly belonged to the Gloucester Civic and Garden Council, Sign Ordinance Committee, Anti-Litter campaign and was instrumental in organizing the recycling program in the city. He co-chaired the Mayor's Advisory Committee to transform the city landfill into "Magnolia Woods," a 25-acre recreation sports complex for the area's youth. John and his family attended St. John's Episcopal Church, where he was an active member of the vestry for many years. In 2007, he was honored with the Unitarian Universalist Church Gloucester Citizenship Award.

While his girls were small, he and Mary enjoyed building lovely furniture for their home. He enjoyed many hours of collecting and searching for Cape Ann postcards for himself and the Magnolia Historical collection. Collecting first edition stamps; a good game of Cribbage with his grandson, Christian; bird watching, and training his parakeets, and dachshunds; always brought him great pleasure.

John was a gentle man with a caring heart toward all. He will be forever loved and missed by his family and friends.

He is predeceased by his parents, Francis Kellogg and Lucille Morse Crowningshield, and his wife, Mary C. (Leslie) Crowningshield. He is survived by two daughters, Leslie C. Collins, wife of David W. Collins, of Rockport, and Nancy C. Eastman, wife of Mike T Eastman, LTC (Ret.), U.S. Army, of Parkville, Mo.; and two grandsons, Christian C. Collins (born on John's birthday) of Portland, Ore., and Ross C. Collins of Gloucester.

ARRANGEMENTS: At his humble request, a private family memorial service and burial will take place at Beech Grove Cemetery, Rockport. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Magnolia Historical Association, 1 Lexington Ave., Magnolia, MA 01930, or to the American Parkinson Disease Association, 720 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02118-2371. Arrangements are by the Burgess and Mackey Funeral Home, 201 Main St., Rockport.