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ERIC CONGDON CROSSIN
Born: Sep 26, 1923
Date of Passing: May 04, 2013
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryERIC CONGDON CROSSIN September 26, 1923 - May 4, 2013 Our much loved father and grandfather passed away peacefully and under the compassionate care of the North Shore Hospice after a long battle with Parkinson's. He was a Veteran, born in Winnipeg and left school halfway through grade 10 at the age of 16 to join the navy. He served as a seaman on a Corvette escorting and protecting convoys from submarine attack during the Battle of the Atlantic. This experience forged a character of quiet courage, humility, and compassion that ultimately defined his life. Upon leaving the navy, he was still a very young man and he began courting a beautiful young woman, Aileen Howes. They soon married and settled for the rest of their lives on the west coast where he attended UBC and obtained a B.Sc in Forestry. He loved the forests. After many years working for Mac Blo in many capacities on Vancouver Island, he began a teaching career at BCIT where he taught until his retirement in 1988. He was always very pleased that his life had taken this turn into teaching as were the hundreds of students he taught for over two decades. Before and after his retirement, he spent many years assisting in the development of the Mt. Seymour Demonstration Forest. It remains a permanent and fitting tribute to his life and his love of the splendour of this province. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Aileen, in 2003, and his brother, Bob, in 2012. He will be missed by his children: David and his partner Jean, Tim and his partner Mary, Nancy and her husband Paul, Matt and his partner Glenn, his sisters Beth and Diana, his grandchildren Shane, Sarah, Daniel, Erin and Jeff, his many nieces and nephews, and extended family. His nephew, Monty Howes, was a caring presence in his life to the end, and his friends were loving throughout. He left us the way he lived his life. Quietly. With uncommon courage. A Service of Remembrance will be held on Saturday, June 1, at 2:00 p.m. at the First Memorial Boal Chapel, 1505 Lillooet Road, North Vancouver BC. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Lions Gate Hospital Foundation for Palliative and Hospice Programs.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 11, 2013
Condolences & Memories (2 entries)
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Though Eric's death was of course anticipated, for Monty has kept us abreast of his condition, this does not diminish our sense of loss. We have so many wonderful memories of him, most recently during his last trip East when he and Lucy were guests at our dinner table. I still recall how confused Joan was when Eric insisted we were one chair short at the table, for somehow she had neglected to factor Lucy into her planning (and no dog has ever been treated with greater affection and dignity than was visited upon Lucy by her loving 'parents' Eric and Aileen). We also remember Eric and Aileen's visit a few years earlier when they stayed for a time at the family cottage at Victoria Beach and braved unseasonably cold weather to try to recapture one of Aileen's fondest childhood memories. There were as well the visits of the entire Crossin family when we were all children, and I can still picture all six Howes brothers (including our three cousins Gary, Neil, and Paul) bedecked in Nanaimo t-shirts and enjoying other thoughtful gifts (I vaguely remember little bows and rubber arrows, a tribute no doubt to BC's aboriginal community). Eric and Aileen were simply the most wonderful uncle and aunt I could ever have wished for, and I still have the lovely gift they sent for my university graduation to remind me of their thoughtfulness (and no, it wasn't a model yellow Volkswagen). What a joy it was to have had their influence in our lives. Our condolences to all the family, and I hope David, Tim, Nancy, and Matt realize what a fine gift you've given your parents (as each of you has done) by making your way so successfully through life. There is simply no greater joy than seeing your children grow and flourish, and Eric and Aileen knew this joy. - Posted by: Richard, Joan, Sarah, and Laura Howes (nephew and family) on: May 14, 2013
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My condolences to Diana and her family. Eric has fought many battles as his obituary so eloquently states. He has made his family as well as his Country proud of his service. - Posted by: Joy Buettner (friend/colleague of sister) on: May 11, 2013