Charles Eben "Bud" Crowninshield Jr.

Charles Eben "Bud" Crowninshield, Jr.

April 19, 1941 – March 13, 2026

Charles Eben "Bud" Crowninshield, Jr., of North Andover, Massachusetts, was born in East Providence, Rhode Island on the 19th of April 1941 to the late Charles E. Crowninshield, Sr. and Eileen Fife Crowninshield. He graduated from East Providence High School and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Rhode Island in 1962. Upon graduation, he served as a U.S. naval officer until 1965.

Born into a musical family, Bud became a lifelong musician. His five years of piano lessons led to learning the ukulele, tiple, and trumpet. While at URI, he played in the concert and marching bands and was elected drum major of the ROTC band. His family played music and sang from afternoon into evening whenever extended family gathered, spilling from living rooms into backyards.

During the holiday season, Bud became a familiar and unforgettable presence outside local grocery stores, spending over 300 hours at Salvation Army Christmas kettles. He didn't just ring a bell-he turned it into a performance. With a portable keyboard in place of the bell, he led lively Christmas carols alongside his wife Carol, daughter Cindy, "granddog" Henri, and a flock of stuffed geese, often joined by family, friends, and volunteers from Rotary and Masonic organizations. What started as a kettle stop regularly became a small gathering, with shoppers pausing to listen, sing along, and share in the moment. Even when standing alone, Bud played with the same joy, creating connection with anyone who happened to pass by. He also played and sang weekly at Berkeley Retirement Home for over 11 years. He and Carol visited five local retirement communities every Christmas season to sing carols and give gifts of oranges and socks, becoming a favorite tradition of the residents. He played and sang with children, grandchildren, neighbors, church groups, his Rotary club, residents in skilled nursing facilities, and anyone who would listen, sing along, or hum through a kazoo.

After his military service, Bud, now a CPA, became a manager with a Big Eight accounting firm for 10 years, until he joined a local CPA firm in Andover, Massachusetts, eventually opening his own CPA firm in North Andover from 1982 until he retired in 2017. He used his accounting skills for civic fundraising and serving as Treasurer for many civic organizations, including Boy Scouts of America (now Scouting America), the Salvation Army Lawrence, the Greater Lawrence Community Boating Program, Rotary Club of Lawrence, Masonic Lodges, the Scottish Rite, and Berkeley Retirement Home.

From his childhood experience in Boy Scouts, Bud learned leadership and a love for community service. After achieving Eagle Scout, he continued serving local Boy Scout troops through leadership and advisory capacities and was honored with the Silver Beaver Award in 1990. He served on the Advisory Board and volunteered with the Salvation Army for decades, being bestowed the "Others" Award in 2003, a rare and prestigious recognition for extraordinary service. He was a charter member of the Greater Lawrence Community Boating Program, serving as President and on the Board of Directors, raising funds for a boathouse, and contributing to the program's growing service to 500 youth each boating season.

As a teenager, Bud was introduced to DeMolay. He came to love fraternal relationships for their promotion of individual character and communal virtue. He continued his involvement through his college fraternity, Sigma Chi, and later as a Freemason, including membership in St. Matthew's Lodge A.F. & A.M. and Merrimack Valley Daylight Lodge, along with the Shriners and the Scottish Rite. He was an active Mason for 50 years, engaged locally and regionally in many capacities. He was awarded the Masonic 33rd Degree in 2003 upon working with dyslexic children at the Boston North Children's Dyslexic Center (located in Lowell) where he also served as Chairman of the Board of Governors. Bud loved interacting with children, and his gregarious personality drew their attention everywhere he went. His animated singing and creative, impromptu storytelling captivated imaginations young and old.

Bud will be remembered fondly by all who met him, missed by all who knew him, and never forgotten by those who loved him.

He is preceded in death by two sons, Jeffrey Lloyd Crowninshield and Christopher Charles Crowninshield; and his sister, Lynne Fife Searle. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Carol Crowninshield of North Andover, Massachusetts; sister Donna Porco of Boynton Beach, Florida; daughter Dawn Crowninshield-Hipp (Christian) of Lexington, South Carolina; son Wayne Crowninshield (Natcha) of Santa Fe, New Mexico; daughter Cindy Crowninshield of Honolulu, Hawaii, formerly of North Andover, Massachusetts; 11 grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.

Visiting hours will be held at Mackey Funeral Home ,128 S. Main St(RT114) Middleton, MA on March 28, 2026, from 1:00–4:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Shriners Children's Boston, the Greater Lawrence Community Boating Program, the Boston North Children's Dyslexic Center (located in Lowell), the Salvation Army Lawrence, or another charitable organization of your choice.