William C. Crumm

With profound sadness, we say a final goodbye to William C. Crumm, a funny and loving man with the world's kindest and most generous heart. Bill leaves behind his beloved wife of 62 years, Dorothy Gilday Crumm, his six children, Christine Gibian, Kathleen Crumm Satriani, William M. Crumm, Eileen Crumm, Dorothy Visco and Robert Crumm, as well as a dozen grandchildren. Bill Crumm had great talent for making people feel special and loved, and we will miss him terribly. William C. Crumm was born in New Rochelle, New York on December 1, 1926 to Helen and Alfred Crumm. Bill was one of three children and is survived by his sisters Geraldine Crumm and Joan Baudouine. Bill was a proud and patriotic man, and served his country in two wars. He even lied about his age to enter the military before his 18th birthday. He served in the Pacific theater in World War II, and was one of the witnesses of the atomic explosion at the Bikini atoll during his stint on the aircraft carrier the Shangri-La. He continued his service in the Korean war, reflecting his lifelong dedication to his community and helping others. Bill returned to New Rochelle after the war and became a patrolman in the city police force. Bill spent 35 years as a police officer in New Rochelle, coming up through the ranks to become a Lieutenant detective and the head of the homicide unit, even though he did not have an advanced degree. He was a highly decorated officer, and received multiple awards for outstanding police work, exceptional merit and bravery. His commitment to his community did not end at the end of the workday. Bill Crumm was always willing to lend a hand whether it was volunteering at the church, organizing an event at the Elks club, mowing the lawn of an elderly neighbor or helping with the painting at the Echo Bay Yacht Club. So long as the day ended with a cold beer, Bill was always willing to pitch in to help. Even after Bill and Dorothy retired to Punta Gorda, Florida (where they would spend 25 years) he never stopped helping out his neighbors and the community. Bill and Dorothy raised their six children by working alternating job shifts, so the children always had a (probably very tired) parent with them. Through their sacrifice and effort, they taught us that family is the most valuable part of life. From the time that we were very young, Bill taught his children to look at the world with a careful and curious eye. He encouraged our education by reading all the time, watching animal documentaries on TV (and making us do the same) and sharing the interesting facts he learned. Bill never met a problem that he would not try to solve, and he taught us the value of having an education to help us have a jump start on the path of life. Following the dictum that "anything worth doing is worth doing well", Bill taught us to strive for excellence in whatever we did by doing everything to the very best of his ability. He taught us to be organized and prepared by having the cleanest tool rack on the planet, with every tool freshly oiled and screws and nails organized by size and type in tiny baby food jars. He always had the right tool for the right job, and he always able to figure out a way to fix, improve or repair what needed fixing. He taught us that our ideas and opinions mattered, because always he listened to us. He was proud of when we fought for the things we believed in, and supported our efforts, such as when he helped make an all men's club accept women as full members because otherwise his daughters would not attend events there with him. He showed us how to laugh at ourselves and enjoy life by sending us letters at college typed on toilet paper, or hanging signs out our bedroom windows that our dirty rooms were declared 'Red Cross disaster areas'. Little was more fun than watching Bill watch a movie he truly enjoyed, such as the Pink Panther, as he would laugh until he cried. He particularly loved playing with the little ones, making up simple games or simple toys that would make them shriek with joy and him grin from ear to ear. Bill showed us that we should always work your hardest, but you should also always make room for laughter, friends, families, parties, celebrations and cold beer. And he showed us that in every day there is something to celebrate, whether it be a funny movie, a great book, a beautiful tomato eaten fresh off the vine or sitting on the porch in the summer dusk sipping a cold beer. Most of all, Bill showed us all love in a million different ways. He never complained as he drove us to sports competitions or after school activities, even after a long workday. He always tried to give us what we needed, even if it was a bike that he repaired and repainted rather than the new bike we thought we wanted. He got up early on Sunday mornings to get everyone the paper and make his famous mini pancakes pan cookies. He left a fresh flower by your bed when you were sick. He spent months every year picking out a special small gift for every family member to place in your Christmas stocking. He always had food waiting for you when you got in late from work or school. And he and our mom showed us what marriage can be, when two people love and respect each other and each is most concerned with trying to make life as good as possible for the other. Godspeed Bill, as you move forward, we send you with all the love in our hearts.