JOHN CROW DIES TWO DAYS AFTER 87TH BIRTHDAY

[Welland Tribune  November 24, 1943]

Welland’s Grand old Man Passed Away at Midnight last Night

The city hall flag flew at half mast today as throughout Welland city and county citizens mourned the loss of Welland’s “Grand Old Man” and one of its best loved residents, John H Crow. Mr Crow, Wellander extraordinary, who had seen the city grow from a village to its present status, and had taken an active part in the administration of its affairs, passed away at his home on Niagara street late last night, barely a day after celebrating his 87th birthday on Sunday.

One of the civic fathers, mayor during the First World War and alderman for many years, John Crow had nurtured the growth of Welland for decades, interested in the welfare of the town and its inhabitants. His activities extended in many fields, especially in the realm of sports, in which his interest never waned, and in his church, on the official board of which he was a member when he died.

In seemingly good health even during his latter years, with unimpaired faculties and keeness of mentality, Mr Crow had suffered from a heart ailment for some years. Yesterday morning, when he arose, he fell stricken with a sudden attack to his bedroom floor. He was put to bed  and under severe pain, was given sedatives throughout the day. He passed away quietly before midnight last night.

Fond of Baseball

Born on his father’s homestead in Pelham township in 1855 he was educated in the township’s public schools and Fonthill grammar school, becoming a teacher at the age of 17. At this time he was one of the township’s best baseball  players and later was prominently identified with the city’s major baseball team in its early days. He never lost his intense interest in baseball, and was an avid fan of the Welland clubs up until the time of his death.

He came to Welland 69 years ago, and in 1886 started in the hardware business with A.E. Taylor. This business, which introduced Mr Crow to Welland and became one of the traditions of the town, flourished for half a century, until Mr Crow’s retirement.

His initiation into civic life came in 1897, when he was appointed a member of the old high school board. In the following year, he was elected as an alderman, holding this position for the next three years. In 1906, he came back again on the aldermanic board and was mayor during 1907 and 1908.

In 1910 he again secured a seat on the council holding the position of alderman up to 1915, when he again was elected mayor. He held this office for two years, later retiring from civic life, but never failing to take an active interest in it.

He was a council member in 1898, when the present city hall was built, and he often related this fact to prospective civic candidates for election on inauguration day, when, as an ex-mayor, he was always invited to take part in the ceremonies.

He was also a member of the Welland County General hospital board of governors for a few years.
A staunch Liberal throughout his life, he took an active part in Liberal politics in the county, and a great interest in the party activities throughout the province and Dominion.

Church Activity

For well over a quarter of a century he was the secretary-treasurer of the official board of Central United church, and of the old Methodist church. Although he had not held this position for the past several years, he was still a member of the church’s official board and trustee board, which positions he had occupied for many years. He was on the executive of the church when the present edifice was built and was a devoted member of the congregation.

His many activities included membership in the Masonic lodge, and participation in the administration of its affairs. In 1887 he was the worshipful master of Merritt lodge, A.F. & A.M., and is past district deputy grand master of the Masonic fraternity in the Niagara peninsula. In recognition of his years of service and membership, the members of Merritt lodge, No. 168, will attend the funeral in a body.

Especially during later years, Mr Crow took a great interest in the history of Welland and of Welland county. He himself was able to remember how, at the age of 10, threat of the success of the Fenian raid, which had penetrated to Ridgeway and Bertie township, had terrorized even the residents of Pelham. His parents were the descendants of pioneer residents in the Niagara peninsula.

Served in L. And W.

For several years he was a lieutenant with the old 44th Lincoln and Welland regiment and was at camp with his company for two summers. Later in his life, war brought, tragedy, when his only son, Lieutenant Gordon W. Crow, was killed in action at the battle of Courcelette in 1916.

He is survived by his sister, Mrs Robert Cooper, with whom he resided and who is now in her 94th year; one daughter, Muriel, the wife of Dr. W.J. McEwen of Hamilton; three granddaughters, Jean, the wife of Flt. Lt. W.L. Jennings, Mary and Babs, and one great grandchild Richard Jennings.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, November 24th from his late residence, 201 Niagara street, to Fonthill Mausoleum for entombment.

Tributes are Paid

“All who knew John Crow will be greatly saddened by his death,” said Mayor T. Harry Lewis. Although Mr Crow had been out of municipal office for many years, he retained a keen interest in civic affairs to the last, the mayor said, and he was generous in his praise and support of efforts taken for the well-being of the city.

“He was scholarly, courtly and wise and the city will be the poorer for his loss,” the mayor stated.
Louis Blake Duff said that the death of John H. Crow marked the end of an era.
“His life covered a long span in the history of Welland that reached back to the time before Confederation,”said Mr Duff.
“He was a citizen of the village, of the town, and of the city of Welland.
“Few men were so widely known, as was natural, but he had a large acquaintanceship because of his zest, his energy and his interest.
“He was a good mayor, a good business man, a good citizen, a good churchman and a great sport. Cricket was his first love, then baseball and hockey.
“A bright and genial man, sound as a dollar, honorable, he leaves a name that will long live after him.
“The passing of J.H. Crow removes a permanent and beloved citizen, who through a long life was continually identified with every forward move in this district,” E.J. Anderson, former Liberal M.P,P. For the Welland riding said today. Mr Crow had been Mr Anderson’s nominator during several terms in office.
“He served this community well and faithfully in every field of usefulness. I have fr many years enjoyed his invaluable friendship, and join all citozens in mourning his loss.”

T.J. Darby, secretary-treasurer of the Welland Provincial Riding Liberal Association, speaking on behalf of the association members, said today that Mr Crw’s death came as a profound shock to his many friends, especially among the men and women of the association.
“He was a valued member of the association,” Mr Darby continued, “And an ardent worer for over half a century. He was always referred to as a ‘young Liberal’and of course no meeting was ever complete without his presence, which he invariably gave to any Liberal meeting of importance.”