John R. Crowe, 91, Formerly of Branford

John R. Crowe, 91, formerly of Branford, died in Southington on Feb. 1. He was the husband of the late Hilda Hayno Crowe.  Mr. Crowe was born on April 30, 1920 in Sheldon Springs, Vermont, son of the late Robert W. and Alice Stephenson Crowe.  He served as a pilot in the U.S. Navy during World War II.  After the war, he attended the University of Vermont, where he obtained his bachelor’s degree.
 
Mr. Crowe had worked as a mechanical engineer for Avco Lycoming/Textron in Stratford for many years until his retirement.  He was also a member of Tabor Lutheran Church in Branford for nearly 40 years, where he served on numerous committees, and he was a charter member of the Men's Garden Club in Branford.  In addition, Mr. Crowe was a 65-year Mason with the Grand Lodge of Vermont. 

He is survived by his daughter, Deborah Celani and her husband Bill of Cheshire; his stepchildren, Judy Riebe and her husband Bill of Vero Beach, Florida, Elaine Perkinson of Trumbull, and Robert Perkinson and his wife Maggie of Stonington; his sister, Cora Clark of Vermont; 11 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.  He was predeceased by his grandson, two sisters, Gwendolyn and Margaret, and his brother, Robert Crowe.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 7, at 11 a.m., at Tabor Lutheran Church, Branford, followed by burial with military honors in Tabor Cemetery, Branford.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association of CT, 2075 Silas Deane Highway, Suite 100, Rocky Hill, CT 06067, or to the American Cancer Society, P. O. Box 9376, Framingham MA 01701-9376.  The W.S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. For directions and online memorial seewww.wsclancy.com.