LifeStory

Michael J Crowley Sr

Eulogy

By Jennifer El-Barbarawi

On behalf of my family we would like to sincerely thank you all for your support, phone calls, emails and the overwhelming amount of flowers and cards sent to my family. It has meant so much to us to know that everyone is thinking of us at this difficult time.


Michael John Crowley Sr will be remembered most as being someone who was a loving man…A family man…A caring man…someone who always lent his ear, a true listener…A giving man…An intelligent man…A soft sole who welcomed you into his life.


What did you call him? Dad, Brother, Papa, Uncle Mike, or Crowles. He had so many nick names by so many of his friends and family.


The emptiness created by the sudden death of someone as much-loved as my dad is still hard to grasp. We took his time with us for granted and thought he would be around us much longer. His laughs, his yelling, his help, his love… I can still see his wonderful smile and wink.


My dad was born to my late grandparents Earl and Louella Crowley. He grew up on the south side of Chicago, in the Oak Lawn area. He graduated from St. Laurence High School. My dad was the baby of the family, he has two older sisters, Cathy and Candi.

Besides his siblings, my dad developed lifelong friendships with some of the kids in the neighborhood: Bob Larney, Cathy McGrath, late Michael McGrath, and many others. I apologize if I did not mention you, but you know how it was as a child and your dad tells you his stories.


My dad graduated from SIU and was in the AGR fraternity where he made lifelong friends Rick Storey, Dave Crosswhite and many others who are here with us today. After he graduated he went back to school to become a chef. I was lucky enough that my dad met my mom at the Drake hotel and shortly after they fell in love and got married. My dad adopted me. Five years after they married, Bridget came along. My dad was so head over heels in love with Bridget, but he knew he was being overrun in an all-female house. So they gave it the old college try for a boy to carry on the Crowley name and sure enough Mike Jr. was born. Soon after Mike Jr. was born, my dad became sick at the young age of 35. He was on a long 4 year waiting list for a new heart. On August 8th, 1995, a miracle happened. My dad received a young and healthy 19 year old heart. Our family overcame a big obstacle. We always joked my heart was the same age as his heart. He was reborn and his love for his family was stronger than ever.


AHHHH and then came his special little Grandchild: The one and only….Ashley Breeze.


How can I be impartial when talking about Ashley? Many of you might not know that my dad was not only her papa, but also her daycare provider, although Ashley would say that she caught him frequently sleeping on the job. Ashley and my dad were inseparable. The relationship they shared was truly amazing. They shopped together, went to the movies together and everything else a papa and grandchild do together.


My dad survived 21 years of life after his transplant mostly due to the love, devotion, and passion from all of us, but especially from my Mom. The love they have had for one another was incredible to see.


What will I miss most about my dad you ask?

The calls after work on the way home. Now I call my mom so we can comfort one another.

Someone to debate and argue with.

Watching the Gilmore Girls Remix together

His unique laugh I have fresh in my mind

He is no longer here physically…

No, now he’s somewhere in the heavens, with his mother and father. And now they get to reconnect and laugh, debate and listen to his unique laugh together.


I haven’t quite come to terms with the fact that I will never have another conversation with my dad again. I am sure I share that with many of you. The day Dad passed was the day we truly lost one of the true greats here on earth. Although he will be forever missed, I’ll hold you in my heart forever, Dad; I love you more than you will ever know. May you rest in eternal peace and I know you are watching over all of us from heaven above.

Michael J Crowley Sr
Memorial
  • interests

    Alpha Gamma Rho
    Southern Illinois University
    AGR
    SIU

  • born

    Jan 8, 1956
    Illinois

  • family

    Elizabeth (Betti) Crowley (nee Doane), Spouse / Partner
    Jennifer (Naseem) Elbarbarawi, Child
    Bridget Crowley, Child
    Michael Crowley Jr., Child
    Cathy (Jay) Monahan, Sibling
    Candy (Andy) Langert, Sibling

  • died

    Nov 3, 2016
    Illinois

Rick Storey
The attached pictures were from the Luncheon that followed the Memorial Mass at:

Zia's Lago Vista
3819 N. Ashland
Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 883-0808
info@ziaslakeview.com
http://www.ziaslakeview.com Show Less
Michael J Crowley Sr
Memorial
  • interests

    Alpha Gamma Rho
    Southern Illinois University
    AGR
    SIU

  • born

    Jan 8, 1956
    Illinois

  • family

    Elizabeth (Betti) Crowley (nee Doane), Spouse / Partner
    Jennifer (Naseem) Elbarbarawi, Child
    Bridget Crowley, Child
    Michael Crowley Jr., Child
    Cathy (Jay) Monahan, Sibling
    Candy (Andy) Langert, Sibling

  • died

    Nov 3, 2016
    Illinois