The wake for Father John G. Crawford, senior priest-retired, will begin with vespers at 3 p.m. March 9 in St. Francis de Sales Church, 3434 George Ave., Parma, with Bishop Martin Amos, retired bishop of Davenport, Iowa presiding. Father John Chlebo, delegate for senior priests and pastor of St. Christopher Parish in Rocky River, will be the homilist. The wake will continue until 6:30 p.m.
Auxiliary Bishop emeritus Roger Gries will celebrate Father Crawford’s funeral Mass at 11 a.m. March 10 in St. Francis de Sales Church. Father Mark Peyton, St. Francis de Sales’ pastor, will be the homilist.
Father Crawford, who turned 90 on Feb. 20, died on March 4.
He was born to the late John and Agnes (Bahler) Crawford. Father Crawford was educated at Denison Elementary School, Thomas Jefferson Junior High School and West High School, all in Cleveland. He also attended John Carroll University in University Heights, Borromeo Seminary in Wickliffe and Saint Mary Seminary in Cleveland.
Bishop Clarence Elwell ordained him to the priesthood for service to the Diocese of Cleveland on May 18, 1963 in the Cathedral of St John the Evangelist.
Father Crawford’s first assignment was as parochial vicar of St. Mary Parish in Painesville. In addition, he was appointed chaplain for the Newman Club of Lake Erie College in Painesville. On June 24, 1971, he was transferred to St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Gates Mills to serve as parochial vicar. Father Crawford was on the Notre Dame College faculty from June 15, 1977 until July 1, 1992. He was assigned as chaplain of Serra East on Nov. 15, 1989. Father Crawford served as administrator pro tem of St. Gregory the Great Parish in South Euclid from Oct. 15, 2001 until May 6, 2003.
He retired on Feb. 20, 2003.
Those who knew him said Father Crawford would be remembered for his generosity to those in need, his love for teaching, his kindness and quiet intellectual disposition.
Interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery in Brook Park.