Donald Patrick Crowley

BARNSTABLE - The most remarkable and extraordinary man left this world this past week. Donald P. Crowley, 91, of Yarmouthport, died Thursday, September 7, 2023, following a brief illness. He was surrounded by his family and an ocean of love. If living a life filled with love, adventure, truly meaningful work, and an endless capacity to create joy is the goal of a human life, then Don was the undisputed champion. Don was born and raised in Brockton, Massachusetts, one of seven children of the late Patrick (PJ) and Nora Crowley. It was there, in high school, where he met the love of his life, Mary (Betty) Croker, and the greatest adventure of his life began.
Upon marrying on the luckiest, rainy Sunday in May, 1954, Don and Betty settled in Lowell, Massachusetts, where they raised five indisputably spectacular children. They adored their children, filling their home with love, laughter, music, and countless zany moments. Don's love of travel and sense of adventure was contagious, and he and Betty took their children on extended camping trips across the United States and Canada every year. For their children, this was the gift of a lifetime and a dream childhood. In 1995, he and Betty retired to their dream home in Yarmouth Port, MA, and continued to travel for the rest of their time together, ultimately visiting all 50 U.S. states, most of the provinces of Canada, and much of Europe.
Don possessed an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, and he pursued it at every opportunity. After serving his country in the Army during the Korean War, Don used the GI Bill to attend both Northeastern University and Boston University, obtaining an engineering degree, which he put to good use in his work as an aeronautical engineer for Avco Corp. At Avco, Don had the opportunity to work with NASA to help develop the heat shield for the Apollo space missions of the mid- to late 1960s. He absolutely loved his work and was so proud to be able to have a profound effect on the future of space travel.
While understanding that work is an important part of life, Don also recognized that there should be more to life than just work. The joy of music – listening to it, creating it, performing it – took up residence in Don's soul at an early age and remained there for his lifetime. An accomplished trumpet and guitar player, Don entertained thousands of people with music during his life. From playing for his children to send them off to sleep at night, for the troops and the orphaned children in Korea, in family bands for paying crowds, to countless senior centers and nursing homes on Cape Cod, Don translated his love of music into endless joyful experiences.
An avid bicyclist, Don competed in bike races into his 60s (winning several divisional medals) and rode for pleasure whenever possible. In fact, his very last bike excursion – a 15 mile round trip – occurred just weeks before his death. After Betty's death (too soon, of course) in 2009, Don rekindled an interest in archery, a sport he had dabbled in earlier in life, and soon found himself a highly valued member of the Monument Beach Sportsman's Club in Bourne. He spent the next 13 years teaching both adults and children the wonders of recurve bow shooting. He adored his many students, and they, in turn, adored him. As his own children already knew, Don was the quintessential teacher: patient, nurturing, encouraging, and respectful. Everyone who knew – or even just met – Don understood immediately that they were in the presence of a truly incredible man. He was that rarest of people who made you feel like you were seen and valued. He was never happier than when participating in gatherings of any kind. His kindness, compassion, humor, and integrity have left a lasting legacy of love. To his children, Don was the greatest treasure; to his grandchildren, Grampa hung the moon. Don's life was an incredible gift to this world, and the world is infinitely better because he was in it.
Don leaves behind five children: Donald Jr. and his wife Lisa (LaRock) Crowley of Hudson, NH, Timothy and his wife Sharon (Purtell) Crowley of Dracut, MA, Mary Crowley and her partner Eric Gongola of West Yarmouth, Paul Crowley of Denver, CO, and Nancy Crowley of Piedmont, CA. He also leaves eight grandchildren: Stephen and his wife Shannon (Buckley) Crowley, Shane and his wife Laura (Burke) Crowley, Jenna (Crowley) and her husband Louis Vigars, Gillian Smith, Siobhan and her husband Brandon Malaguti, Liam Smith, Thomas Crowley, and Patrick Crowley, as well as seven great-grandchildren: Makenzie, Ryan, Georgia, and Dakota Crowley, Emerson and Callie Vigars, and Sinead Grace Malaguti. Don is also survived by his sisters: Noreen (Crowley) Waters, and Bernadette (Crowley) and her husband Edward Pare.
Visiting hours will be from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 12, 2023 at the Chapman Funerals & Cremations, 58 Long Pond Drive, South Yarmouth. A memorial service will begin at 1:30 p.m. during those visiting hours.
In lieu of flowers, Don's family asks that donations be made to the Junior Olympic Archery Development program, The Monument Beach Sportsman's Club of Bourne.