Arthur Donald Crowe

It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Arthur Donald (Don) Crowe on July 14, 2022, at his home in Okanagan Falls BC. Don was born on Jan 14, 1929, in Prince Albert SK to parents Joel Arthur Crowe and Edith May Lunam. Predeceased by his first wife Anna Greta Swang, and second wife Elizabeth Decker, and his brother Richard “Wayne” Crowe. Don is survived by his son’s Gerald (Alison) and Gordon (Tracy) Jordan & Tate.

Until Don was 12 years old, his family lived on a farm near Christopher Lake SK, and times were tough but memorable. His parents then moved the family to Ocean Falls BC. In the summers of 1942 and 1943 he worked on a ranch at Anaheim Lake. In 1946 Don moved to Prince Rupert and worked in construction, restaurants, and as a mechanic.  He then returned to ranching at Anaheim Lake where he worked along side legendary Pan Philips.  In 1949 moving back to Prince Rupert he started driving truck, taxi and busses.

While in Prince Rupert, Don met and married his first wife Anna Greta Swang and they had their two sons Gerald & Gordon. In 1969 he moved the family to North Vancouver where he worked for the next 20 years as a Tour Bus Operator at Trailways driving the Airport Limousine service and bus charters from Alaska to San Diego. One of his most memorable jobs, as a bus driver, was  up the Soviet Union Hockey team with full motorcycle escort during the 1972 Summit Series game against Team Canada in Vancouver, with his youngest son Gordon along for a ride.

Don enjoyed playing pool and was also an avid golfer with two holes in one. He was an active member of the Elks Lodge both in Prince Rupert and Vancouver, a member of the Prince Rupert Curling Club where he skipped an eight ender and later joined Marpole Curling Club in Vancouver, a past Director of the Prince Rupert Nite Reunions, that ran for 59 years so far, and a member of the Legion both in Chilliwack and Okanagan Falls.

Around 80 years of age, he bought a motorhome and travelled throughout BC and Alberta. After living in Chilliwack Don eventually moved to Okanagan Falls in 2017. Later past times included being an enthusiastic Blue Jays Baseball fan, tinkering on anything around his house and enjoyed the camaraderie with everyone at the local Legion.

Don was a history buff and storyteller, often taking about the Great Depression, and about his past like it was yesterday. He was involved with the Crowe family reunions since 1983 and attended everyone across North America which were held every 3 years up to 2019.

Don will be fondly remembered and missed by his family and friends. A small Graveside gathering for family and close friends will be held at the Pacific Heritage Cemetery in Burnaby on Sept 26 at 1 PM. For more information please email jerry.crowe1@gmail.com.