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John Crowley Obituary
He was born Dec. 6, 1944, in New London, the son of John Crowley Sr. and Rose Manca Crowley. He attended local schools and Saint Bernard High School, graduating in 1963. He earned a B.S. in education from Southern Connecticut State University and an M.S. in earth science from Franklin & Marshall University in Lancaster, Pa.
Jack taught first at Clark Lane Junior High School for a year, then at Waterford High for 30 more years. He coached several sports including football, basketball, wrestling, baseball and track.
Jack played football at Saint Bernard's and at SCSU and was elected to the St. Bernard Athletic Hall of Fame in 1988.
Summer jobs included jack-of-all-trades at the GAM in Ocean Beach, maintenance at Waterford Park & Rec and waterfront director at Waterford Beach.
After retiring from teaching Jack worked at New London Country Club and Cedar Ridge Golf Course in East Lyme. Jack was community-minded and volunteered at Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Habitat for Humanity, Lawrence + Memorial Hospital and Englewood Hospital in Florida for many years. He was a volunteer football coach and women's soccer coach at the Coast Guard Academy. He was a communicant of St. Joseph Church, Knights of Columbus and later was a Eucharistic minister. He was an EMT and worked for the Goshen Fire Department in Waterford. He had many hobbies: skiing, golf, boating, playing guitar and of course, sports.
He is survived by his present wife, Jeanne Portelance Crowley; his sons, Timothy (Christine) and Mathew (Deborah); step-daughters, Theresa Hayward (Tim) and Wendy Lewon (Albert); and his two sisters, Anne Kelley (Daniel) and Patricia Holmes (David); 1 brother Albert Crowley and a brother-in-law, Chris Portelance; six grandchildren: Logan, Alexa, Jack, Elijah and Jude Crowley and Trevor (Erika) Warbin; and several cousins, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his first wife, Barbara Solsbury Crowley; his parents; and four brothers-in-law.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 21, at St. Joseph Church, Squire Street, New London. The family will receive relatives and friends from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Thursday morning at the Thomas L. Neilan & Sons Funeral Home, 12 Ocean Avenue, New London. Please visit www.neilanfuneralhome.com to leave the family an online condolence.
Donations in Jack's memory may be made to St. Joseph Church, 12 Squire Street, New London or Habitat for Humanity of Eastern CT, 82 Boston Post Road, Waterford, CT 06385.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Crowley
Sponsored by Thomas L. Neilan & Sons Funeral Home - New London.
Mark Zanghetti
August 21, 2025
Sorry for your loss, Jack was always kind to me and I miss him.
Dodie Hightower
August 21, 2025
Such a great teacher & asset to the community.
Thank you for all helping make our Waterford a better place.
R.I.P. prayers to your family.
Judi Leary
August 20, 2025
Thank you for being my teacher. RIP Judi Leary
Dawnia Lumadue Parisek
August 19, 2025
What a great teacher. Another loss for Waterford High School. Prayers to the family.
Dawnia Lumadue
Class of 1977
Kim and Gary Weber
August 19, 2025
We met Mr. Crowley years ago at Tim's house. (and then a handful of times at various grandkid events) He was fun, energetic and engaging! Always remembered what a nice man he was. I am sorry for your loss and pray for peace and comfort at this time.
The Christensen Family, E. Lyme
August 19, 2025
He was one of the All-Time great ones at Waterford High! May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
Dave Fairman
August 19, 2025
Rest in Peace. thank You For your Service
RB
August 19, 2025
His Earth Science class was probably my favorite out of all classes at WHS, and perhaps the most useful, long term, personally and professionally, from Earth measurement and mapping the celestial sphere in the first semester, to geology in the second; all of it "futureproof". Anyone taking his class would be able to grasp what Elon is doing today with his satellite constellations, starting with Kepler's laws and other foundational principles. Only years later did I realize that not everyone had the privilege to learn Earth Science as comprehensively in their high schools as we had with Mr. Crowley. His teaching was thorough and accessible. His tests were fair, on point, and reflected what he taught in class, thoughtfully presented with basic visual aids and no computers, which is the best that anyone could hope for. Even if nobody else says so, I will: Thank you, sir; Well done.
Jon Lusk
August 18, 2025
Coach Crowley/Mr. Crowley/Jackie- You were more than just my coach or teacher. You were part of the WHS crew of teachers that were a combined family. My dad, Jimmy, held you in high esteem and I became equally honored to be under your guidance in both the classroom and on the field. Your quiet demeanor understated your dedication in both venues as a true leader and respected member of the community. So many memories of you as the coach but also the man and friend you were to my parents and family, the ski trips, the summers at Oxoboxo, your competitive spirit, as well as your hard line of anti profanity on and off the field. The band´s getting back together up there. We´ll see you on the field again someday!
My sincere sympathies to the boys and the rest of the family!
Dave Fairman
August 18, 2025
Rest in Peace Jack
Bernard "Bing" Bartick
August 17, 2025
My condolences to Jeanne and all of Jack's Family. Jack was an all-around wonderful person. I will miss him. Bing Bartick SBHS 1962
Patrick J Kelly
August 17, 2025
Great guy, great athlete and a truly kind person. One of my favorite all-time teachers. RIP Mr. Crowley. Peace
Andy Dousis
August 16, 2025
Coach Crowley will be missed. I was lucky enough to play for him and coach with him. He was always teaching. May he rest in peace and his memory be eternal.
Ann Plourde Jennings
August 16, 2025
I have fond memories of J a client from when I was a kid. Jackie played football for St Bernard's when my father, Pete Plourde was the coach. The players would come to our house on Sundays to review the films of the day priests game. Jackie would spend time playing football with me & my siblings.
My condolences to his family. He was a wonderful person!
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Memorial Events
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Aug
21
Funeral services provided by:
Thomas L. Neilan & Sons Funeral Home - New London12 Ocean Avenue, New London, CT 06320
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