Christopher William Crown

Christopher William Crown, age 70, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at his home in Walpole, Massachusetts. Born in Norwood, Massachusetts on January 25, 1955, he is the son of William R. and Shirley H. (Carlson) Crown. Chris was raised in Walpole, where, as a young boy, he found his love for playing hockey, often meeting his friends before school for a quick pond game. Chris took his hockey skills to Walpole High School, skating with the varsity team before his graduation in 1973. As a result of his hard work on the ice, Chris was named a Bay State All Star and earned a hockey scholarship, taking courses at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and joining the ranks of the Minutemen. While at UMass, Chris made countless friends and pledged at the Phi Sigma Kappa Fraternity. Unfortunately, during his third season on the collegiate ice, Chris suffered a career ending injury and retired from the hockey program.

Chris returned home to Walpole, and began working various jobs around town, until he took a job with Hospitality Foods, rehabbing and rebranding restaurants. His new position called for some travel, and on one particular assignment in 1980, Chris flew out to Michigan, where he was tapped to serve as a bartender at a newly turned over restaurant. One evening while working, Chris met a young woman, Juanita Garcia, who caught his attention very quickly. After a brief courtship, Chris asked Juanita to marry him on New Years Eve, 1980. Sure enough she said yes and almost a year after meeting, Chris and Juanita were married on October 10, 1981.

The couple made their home in Walpole, Massachusetts, and Chris quickly set out to find employment, taking a position with Bournewood Hospital in Brookline, working in the mental health field. As his family grew, welcoming two sons, Matthew and Cameron, Chris sought an opportunity with the Massachusetts Department of Corrections, taking an officer's role at MCI Cedar Junction in Walpole. His career with the DOC brought Chris to other correctional institutions, including the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center in Shirley, Bay State Correctional Center in Norfolk, and MCI Framingham. Chris retired as a Captain from the Department of Corrections in 2016, having served the Commonwealth for twenty-eight years. During his retirement, Chris took a job with Forest Hills Cemetery, working in the security office and spent many years volunteering with the American Red Cross, delivering blood to area hospitals.

While his hockey career ended early, the love of the game remained with Chris throughout his life. As an avid Boston Bruins fan, Chris loved catching the game on television, dissecting the plays and formulating his own plan for how the B's should move forward. In addition to watching hockey, Chris enjoyed following college football and basketball, keeping an eye on the up-and-coming stars. As the nice weather rolled around, Chris enjoyed hitting the links with his buddies, telling stories, and trying to perfect his golf game.

More than anything, Chris was devoted to his family. When his boys were young, Chris regularly volunteered to coach their teams, supporting Matt and Cam in their soccer and lacrosse adventures. He also enjoyed passing on his knowledge of fishing to both his sons, spending time together casting lines into the water to see what they could catch. In recent years, Chris was thrilled to earn the title of grandfather, welcoming Colin and Molly into the world. He looked forward to spending as much time as he could with his grandchildren, cherishing every moment as he watched them grow.

Beloved husband of Juanita Garcia Crown.

Loving father of Matthew A. G. Crown and his wife Erin of Walpole, and the late Cameron W. G. Crown.

Cherished grandfather of Colin and Molly Crown.

Devoted son of Shirley H. (Carlson) Crown of Walpole and the late William R. Crown.

Brother of Karen Crown of Olympia, Washington, Cynthia Thulin and her late husband Donald of Walpole, and Allison Sears and her husband Jamie of Walpole.

Also survived by several loving nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Chris' Life Celebration on Friday, July 18th, 2025, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole.

At the request of Chris' family, his funeral service will take place privately, with interment at Terrace Hill Cemetery in Walpole.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The LEADER Program at McLean Hospital by visiting https://giving.mclean.org/ and designating the LEADER Program in memory of Christopher Crown.