Brother John Crowe CSC

Brother John Crowe, CSC

Brother John Crowe, CSC, 90, passed away peacefully on January 31, 2025, at the Brother Vincent Pieau Residence, Austin, TX. Born in Detroit, MI, John was the fifth of the seven children of Edward Crowe and Bernice (Hedge) Crowe. Edward served as the Executive Secretary of the Catholic Youth Organization of the Archdiocese of Detroit. After John graduated from Catholic Central High School, conducted by the Basilian Fathers, he left Detroit for Southern California. He studied at Santa Monica City College and at Cal State Los Angeles. When considering his life choices, his pastor encouraged him to visit several local communities of religious brothers. John did so and decided to join the Brothers of Holy Cross. In 1958, John entered the novitiate for Holy Cross Brothers at Rolling Prairie, IN. After his first profession of vows, Brother John completed his undergraduate degree at St. Edward's University, Austin, TX. In 1961, he was assigned to Rancho San Antonio, Chatsworth, CA, to work first as a counselor, then as a program director. Except for one or two years teaching elsewhere, Brother John devoted the rest of his life to childcare at Rancho San Antonio. He earned his MSW at the University of Southern California in 1966. In 1970, Brother John was named the Executive Director of Rancho San Antonio, and then, after serving more than 50 years in various executive capacities, he continued to offer his vision and advice. The talents and passion that Brother John brought to his ministry at Rancho made him a recognized leader in the area of children's residential care. He served in many leadership and advisory positions in every aspect of childcare and at every level, county, state and national. Brother John was also a great fundraiser because he helped benefactors become partners in recognizing the humanity and potential of the youth under Rancho's care. Notably, all the councils of the Knights of Columbus in Southern California were longtime reliable and generous partners in the success of Rancho San Antonio, when it was under the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and later when it became an independent corporation. He leaves a wonderful legacy of compassion and advocacy.

The funeral arrangements are as follows:

Thursday, February 6, 2025, at the Brother Vincent Pieau Residence, Austin, TX: There will be a brief Memorial Service at 10:15 A.M. The Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30 A.M. Interment will be at Assumption Cemetery, Austin, TX.