Henry E. Crawford, age 85, of Millertown Road, Bloomsburg died on Sunday, October 2, 2011. Henry was born on May 12, 1926 in Mt. Pleasant Township, a son of the late George F. and Zelia (Kline) Crawford.
Throughout his younger years, he attended the one room schools of Mt. Pleasant Township, and was a 1944 High School Graduate of the Bloomsburg High School. He graduated college from the Bloomsburg State College and received a Master's Degree from Bucknell University as well as a Sixth Year Degree in Advanced Educational Studies from Bridgeport University. He also did post-graduate work at Penn State.
Henry was an educator for over forty years. He was a teacher, counselor and an assistant High School Principal at Hughesville High School for thirteen years. In 1961, he moved to Connecticut where he was a school administrator for 27 years. He also served as Head Master of Bacon Academy and taught at Central Connecticut University with the rank of Associate Professor. He was also a trustee of the Craigian Memorial Library.
He was a strong advocate of equal opportunities for girls in sports. In the 1970's, as a High School Principal, he chaired a Constitutional Revision Committee for the Connecticut Inter-Scholastic Athletic Assoc. to require all of Connecticut Schools to provide equal opportunities for girls and boys in athletics. Upon his retirement, the Connecticut State Legislator voted to award him a Certificate of Merit for his humanitarian work. The Stratford Connecticut Education Association established and funded a permanent scholarship in his honor. As of today, over 40 high school seniors have received the scholarship from the Henry E. Crawford Permanent Scholarship Fund. A Veteran of World War II, he received a letter of commendation from General Hap Arnold of the U.S. Air Force for his meritorious service in the U.S. Air Force during World War II. He was a member of the American Legion Post #564 in Millville, a life member of the Association of Retired Teachers of Connecticut, the National Education Association, the Connecticut Education Association and the Pennsylvania Association of Retired School Employees. He also enjoyed spending free time in his garden, traveling abroad as well as playing the organ.
Surviving is his beloved wife, Grace Alberta (Funk) Crawford, celebrating their 60th Wedding Anniversary on August 25, 2011; two sons: Arthur M. Crawford and wife, Diane (Gromotsky) Crawford of Milford, CT; and Dale R. Crawford and wife, Joan (Lyman) Crawford, of Williamsport; two grandchildren: Devin and Brandon Crawford; a brother: George B. Crawford and wife, Marjorie (Hendricks) Crawford of Bloomsburg and several nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by a sister: Caroline (Crawford) Eckroth.
A public time of Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 5 from 6 to 8 p.m. from the Allen Funeral Home, Inc. 745 Market at Eighth Street in Bloomsburg.
Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, October 6 at 11 a.m. at Canby Lutheran Church, 529 Canby Lutheran Church, Mt. Pleasant Twp. with Rev. Martin Kessler, officiating. Graveside Services will follow in the Canby Lutheran Church Cemetery. The Immediate family members will provide flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to: Henry E. Crawford Scholarship Fund, c/o Stratford High School, 45 N. Parade, Stratford, CT 06497 OR Canby Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, 529 Millertown Road, Bloomsburg, PA 17815.