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Edward L. Crossley Jr.

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Lowell High School San Francisco State University

Edward Crossley Obituary

1929 - 2010. Edward died peacefully in his sleep at his home in Sonoma on February 13, 2010. Edward Louis Crossley Jr. announced his early arrival on July 7, 1929, to his parents, Edward L. Crossley and Julia Josephine Kane, on a number 7 streetcar in Golden Gate Park. Mr. Crossley began his educational experience at Junipero Serra School near Holly Park in 1935 and was graduated from Sequoia High School in Redwood City in 1947. Serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean War in Austria and Italy, he benefited from the G.I. Bill, being graduated from S.F. State in 1957 and earning his teaching credential in 1958, after which he student-taught in Spanish under the strict supervision and guidance of Aurelia Osuna at Lowell High School, where he was hired the following year. While at Lowell High School, he provided withheld information to Chronicle reporter, Ron Moskowitz, which assured that Lowell would continue to be an academic high school. Mr. Crossley was Lowell's first coordinator of programs for gifted children and established its first honors classes in French and Spanish, the latter of which he taught for the rest of his career. He was also the first public school teacher in San Francisco to be appointed a reader of Advanced Placement examinations by the College Board, a post he filled for eleven years, after which he was appointed as a consultant in Spanish for the eight western states. In 1982 Mr. Crossley was chosen by James W. Kearney to be a member of the founding facility of Raoul Wallenberg Traditional High School, where he taught until his retirement in 1988. In 1989 he moved to Sonoma, where for twelve years he voluntarily taught Spanish at Vintage House, the aptly named senior center. Mr. Crossley was pre-deceased by his parents and by his two younger siblings, James Daniel Crossley and Patricia Ann Di Stefano. He is survived by nephew and niece, Anthony James Di Stefano and Mary Julia Thorne; and by great-nephew and great-niece, Michael Sagaert and Stephanie Ann Sagaert. He is also survived by many very dear cousins and by ex-students Jose O. Rico, Pedro Merino, and Deepinder Sekhon and their families, who took care of him in his final years in Sonoma. Mr. Crossley was an accomplished pianist, a philatelist, linguist and an avid railroad "buff." Memorial service will be held on March 28th from 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. at Vintage House, 264 First Street East, Sonoma CA 95476. More info: (707) 935-1037. He requested that memorial contributions be sent to Vintage House.

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Published by Press Democrat from Mar. 7 to Mar. 8, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Edward Crossley

15 Entries

Franchesca Callejo

October 14, 2022

Ed was a special teacher and a profound influence on my education. After graduating from Lowell I played classical chamber music with him and Alice lee just for fun and enjoyed visiting him when he moved to Sonoma. He became a life long friend and told me that when he graded the ap Spanish exam the year I took it he recognized my calligraphy handwriting (another hobby we both shared) and gave my exam to be graded by someone else. He prepared us well for the exam I still miss him

John Martinez

December 6, 2020

Edward Crossley was a force in my early years. He guided me through many educational, political, and personal endeavors at Lowell High School from 1968 to 1971. Spanish literature, Latin-American history and music were icing on the gifts he offered me. Through many paths and challenges, I always carried a little bit of Mr. Crossley in my heart. I just retired from teaching ESL 16 years at a community college in Seattle. I started each class with lessons prepared, homework corrected and scored, and extra-wide college rule paper for Friday's vocabulary quiz. Thank you, Mr. Crossley

Jay Lunt

March 30, 2010

I took Spanish at Lowell from Mr. Crossley all three years I was there. Back then (1964-1966) there were three report periods and a final semester grade. My grades were: B, B-, C+ with a final semester grade of C! I didn't worry too much about it as it seemed to mirror the trend of my comprehension. When I returned to Lowell for my junior year, Mr. Crossley buttonholed me and told me he had "stewed" about that grade all summer. I never had another teacher say anything like that to me. A human being! After that I took Spanish from him every semester. He was my favorite teacher and Spanish was my favorite class. Mr. Crossley treated students with respect and dignity and I appreciated that. When I was showing my brother around Lowell as an incoming sophomore Mr. Crossley mocked surprise and asked if there were more of us at home that he would eventually have to deal with! After graduation I went to visit him with a fellow former student (Joan Rogers) at his house where he played the most beautiful Beethoven on his piano. The next year I visited him at Lowell. I was unshaven and wearing a pink shirt. He accused me of joining the beatniks! I use my Spanish every day and often think of this as Mr. Crossley's gift to me. His love of Spanish and the students he taught is an enduring legacy for a wonderful person. He signed my yearbook "it has been a pleasure crossing intellectual swords with you". From the distance of years and miles I realize the pleasure was as much mine as his.

Jay Lunt
Lowell '66

Dan (Butch) Kane

March 18, 2010

I will always remember you at our family get togethers. You were the family Historian. You knew more about me than I did. You tried to teach me piano when I was young. Others tried also but you got me to book two,I think that means you can use both hands. I'll miss you Ed. You made us all laugh. I did not get to see you much over the last few years but the reunions in Markleeville will be with me forever. Thank you cousin for being you...Cousin, Dan Kane,Haines City Florida

Deepinder Sekhon

March 13, 2010

For those of you who may not know, I have also created a Facebook Page for Ed Crossley. Please feel free to visit it post your comments. It is at
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-in-Loving-Memory-of-Edward-L-Crossley/346333238320?ref=mf

Deepinder Sekhon

Jaime Roberto Boston

March 12, 2010

It was a rainy night in June of 1970 when Lowell Spanish AP students arrived with Mr. Crossley (El joven Ed) at the campus of the University of The Americas near Puebla to begin an intensive six week summer workshop in "The Mexican Way of Life". The following morning I woke up to a crystal clear sunny day and saw him looking out of the dormitory window. As I approached, the magnificent vision of snow-capped volcanoes Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl appeared, perfectly framed by the window. I stood there speechless for a moment and then began to recite the beginning of the legend we had learned earlier that year in class...Popo era un famoso guerrero...we laughed and began an unforgettable six weeks of art history, language, pulqueria etiquette, climbed pyramids, took a late night swim in the University fountain, and even learned to dance the long version of the Jarabe Tapatio. Many years later when I was going through a difficult time I received a long hand-written letter of encouragement from him that helped me a great deal. With the letter there was a photo enclosed that he had taken that first morning in Mexico of the volcanoes. On the back was this simple sentence, "Popo era……" con carino, El viejo Ed.
Gracias por ser nuestro profesor, consejero y amigo. Nunca le olvidaremos.

Sue Zisko

March 11, 2010

Mr. Crossley, quite simply, changed my life and that of all our Spanish Honors class (grad 1971). He so bravely took us all to Mexico for a summer program, and he inspired us all to fall more in love with the Spanish language and "la cultura Latina". He invited us to his home, I baked him bread, discussed everything. What a wonderful man. I called and wrote him last year and he remembered me clearly...I will never forget Mr. Crossley, a true teacher.

Susie Saxe Kaufman

March 10, 2010

I have always had wonderful memories of Mr. Crossley. He was my Spanish teacher at Lowell in the early sixties. Unfortunately, I never had the "language gene". Somehow Mr. Crossley never made me feel bad about my lack of ability in his classes. I have never forgotten his great sense of humor and genuine caring. His smile and kindness will always be in my heart.

Jose Ramirez

March 10, 2010

Mr. Crossley had a love for Spanish that was clearly evident in his classroom. His passion and dedication to his vocation, made knowing him a true blessing. His knowledge of travel and countries of the world, etc. made him an interesting teacher who broadened his students world view and provided an educational dimension that is rarely found in our schools. We were all so lucky to have him in our midst! May God bless his soul in heaven.

Adrienne Fisher

March 8, 2010

Mr. Crossley left a lasting impression, and I remember him fondly from my years at Wallenberg. As we prepare for our 25th high school reunion, I am saddened that we will not see him there, but we will remember him at that time, and throughout the years. May he rest in peace.

Debbie Nunez

March 7, 2010

Mr. Crossley was the most dedicated teacher... while it has been more than 30 years since I was his student, I remember him well and have him alone to thank for the solid formal education in Spanish he provided me.

Marilyn Silva

March 7, 2010

Edward L. Crossley was a very unique individual. He was a gifted education and a man who was true to his principles. He will be missed.

Jackie Sodaro

March 7, 2010

Dear cousin Ed, You are in my thoughts always. Love, Cousin Jackie

March 7, 2010

Mr. Crossley was one of my most favorite teachers at Wallenberg HS and I can proudly say that I am able to speak Spanish to my patients because of what he Mr. Crossley taught me. Thank you for everything and rest in peace, Mr. Crossley. Cristina Navato Perez (Corona, CA)

Judi Steele

March 7, 2010

Mr. Crossley was one of my inspirations for the love of languages and majoring in Spanish at the University. May he rest in peace.
Sincerely,
Judi Steele (Figari)

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