Patrick J. Crowley

Patrick John Crowley, 83, of Princeton New Jersey passed away peacefully on Friday, November 14, 2025.
Patrick was born in Inchinagotagh, County Cork, Ireland on June 12, 1942 and was raised on the family farm. He attended St Fachtna's De La Salle school followed by a pharmacy apprenticeship, both in Skibbereen. His academic talent was clear at a young age, and both his family and community supported his pursuit of a degree in pharmacy. He graduated from University College Dublin with 1st class honors.
He moved to London where he met Kathleen Hughes at an Irish dance. They were married in 1972 and enjoyed 53 of marriage. He worked as a formulation scientist in the pharmaceutical industry at Wyeth, Beecham, SmithKline Beecham and GSK, for a 40 year career in both the UK and USA.
His standout professional achievement was his work developing the antibiotic Augmentin, for which he successfully developed a stable formula that led to US patent 4,301,149. Augmentin remains widely prescribed to this day. This achievement elevated Patrick from bench scientist to leadership positions in Research & Development despite not possessing a Ph.D. (typically a requirement in those days). His unique professional journey and humble beginnings gave him unique skills in leading teams and developing people. He mentored many scientists still active in pharma today, and contributed to the launch of multiple products including Amoxil, Bactroban, Eminase, Relafen and Coreg. His contributions to pharmacy in the UK were recognized when he was made Fellow of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.
Patrick's personal interests included Irish culture in many forms (literature, music, sport, history), travel and long-distance running. Following retirement and until the age of 77, he completed more than 40 half-marathons. Through half-marathons, he found a way to combine running, travel and family in Boston (7 races) and the Connemarathon (5), the latter becoming a cherished tradition with his much-loved nephews.
Patrick and Kathleen had emigrated to the USA in 2003 for work, and they remained in Devon, Pennsylvania for most of their retirement years. Close proximity to grandchildren in New Jersey made this a joyful home in later life.
In 2021, multiple myeloma presented Patrick with a new challenge which he faced with pragmatism and minimal fuss, along with much scientific interest in his therapies and bloodwork! For four years of treatment, many spreadsheets were created and many doctors were charmed, until the last datapoint was entered and his last race was run.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.
Patrick is predeceased by his parents Florence and Eileen Crowley and sister Betty Cadogan. He is survived by his wife, Kathleen Crowley; son, Kieran Crowley, daughter-in-law, Melissa Quaal; grandchildren Callum and Jude; and siblings, Nell Hallihan, Mary Greene and Florence Crowley.
Calling hours for family and friends will be held on Monday, November 24, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., at the Mather-Hodge Funeral Home 40 Vandeventer Avenue Princeton, NJ 08542.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated on Monday, November 24, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., at St. Paul's Catholic Church 218 Nassau Street Princeton, NJ 08542.
A private cremation will follow with burial of cremains in Princeton Cemetery Princeton, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Heart of Camden, a New Jersey charity supported by Patrick and Kathleen, or to a cancer research fund at Penn Medicine, where Patrick received cancer treatment and outstanding care. Donate at: Heart of Camden or to Giving to the Fund for the Abramson Cancer Center Penn Medicine