Michael Crawford - RIP

Clarence alumnus ('90) Michael Crawford passed away August 13, 2009. From the Clarence Bee:

Michael J. Crawford, 37, died Thursday August 13, 2009 in Kenmore. Born October 20, 1971, Mr, Crawford graduated from Clarence High School in 1990 and earned a BS degree in criminal justice from UB.

He worked in the collections business. In 1992 he served in the US Army but was honorably discharged after a short amount of time due to injury.

Mr. Crawford is remembered for his compassion and williness to help others, as well as his sense of humor. He was an avid fisherman and weightlifter.

He is survived by his father, John, and by bothers Glenn, Steven, and Jeffrey. He was preceded in death by his mother Barbara (nee Carlson).

Services will be held at 10 am Saturday, September 12 at Glenwood Cemetery, 325 Glenwood Avenue in Lockport. Arrangements were made by Carlton Ullrich Funeral Home Inc.

Margorie Chase - RIP

Marjorie Chase was a force to be reckoned with, but not in a traditional sense. She didn't pontificate about issues, but rather asked questions, many questions, in an effort to understand point of view of others. In return, many times the respondents got an education on the finer points of a subject and perhaps altered their own viewpoints in the process. As always, Marge listened and questioned with an intensity too often missing in conversation.

Mrs. Chase was a longtime member of the Clarence school board and served as its president for a time. Indeed many of the guest book entries are from people who served with her and are full of admiration for her tireless energy and advocacy. Marge was very active in the community through her last hours, which were spent in a bank board meeting.

The Chase family were long time anchors on the north end of Long Street in Clarence Center. Their house was always open to friends of son Kevin; a touching memorial by one of the friends, Budd Bailey, appears on Notes from an Inquisitive Mind. As Kevin says, it captures the essence of Marge Chase as a person, as a mother, as a friend. She will be greatly missed. Rest in peace.

From the Buffalo News:

CHASE - Marjorie Lee (nee Cox) August 26, 2009, of Clarence Center, NY, beloved wife of the late John Chase; dearest mother of Kevin (Katherine) Chase of Glastonbury, CT; dearest grandmother of John, Maggie and Julie; daughter of the late Emery William Cox and Nannie Belle Boyd Cox; sister of Jerry (Theda) Cox of Topeka, KS; sister-in-law of Eleanor Vogel Chase of Kennett Square; beloved aunt of nieces and nephews. No prior visitation. Family and friends are invited to attend memorial service Saturday at 11 AM from The Zion Lutheran Church, 9535 Clarence Center Rd., Clarence Center, NY 14032.

Marjorie was Past President and long time member of The Clarence School Board; Clarence Citizen of the Year in 1984 and chairman of Business Development Board for the Bank of Akron. If desired, memorials made be made to The American Red Cross, 786 Delaware Ave., Buffalo, NY 14209.