Obituary of Edward J. Crummey Jr.

EDWARD J. CRUMMEY JR. Loudonville- Edward J. Crummey, Jr., 93 of Loudonville, beloved husband of the late Betty (Bonpane) Crummey, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 18, 2013 in the comfort of his home. Edward was the loving son of the late Edward J. Crummey and Rose Walsh Crummey. He was born in New York City, educated there at the Collegiate School for Boys and graduated from Georgetown University, Class of 1942. He entered into military service in that same summer following graduation. His overseas service began in the fall of 1943, when he was assigned to the 24th Infantry Division, 24th Medical Battalion, which was then in Australia. The Division was committed to military action in Hollandia, Dutch New Guinea and was a major force in the retaking of the Philippine Islands especially on Leyte, Mindoro and Mindanao. Following the cessation of hostilities in September 1945 his unit was ordered to the Japanese city of Okayama on Honshu Island for occupational duty. The year 1946 saw him returned to civilian life. In that same year he began his retail clothing career in New York City at the Fifth Avenue stores of Rogers Peet Co. and Arnold Constable. In the spring of 1947, he joined as a fourth generation family member of W.E. Walsh and Sons, Inc. located in downtown Albany. The store was noted for fine furs and men's and women's apparel. The store was founded by his great grandfather William E. Walsh in 1861. In 1974, at the death of his uncle William E. Walsh II, he succeeded him as President of the store operations. In 1978 it was a decision by the family corporation to terminate the 116 year old business. Subsequently, Edward J. Crummey Jr. entered New York State government service with the then New York State Commerce Department and retired from the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance in 1998. He was a board member of the then Albany Chamber of Commerce in the mid 1970's. He was a founding member of the Saint Gregory's School for Boys in Loudonville which opened in 1962. He was a former longtime member of the University Club of Albany, Kiwanis Club in Albany and fifty-nine year member of the Schuyler Meadows Club in Loudonville. He was a communicant of St. Pius X Church in Loudonville and served the parish as both a lector and an usher. He is also a Knight of Malta. He leaves a daughter, Elizabeth C. O'Keeffe of New York City; two sons, Edward J. Crummey III of Studio City, California, and Honorable Peter G. Crummey of Loudonville. He was predeceased by his wife, Betty Bonpane Crummey, in 2012 and sister Margaret G. Crummey of New York City in 1989. He also leaves his grandchildren; Carol E. Crummey, Constance W. Crummey, Cathryn O. Crummey, Canon G. Crummey, Peter G. Crummey Jr. and Edward J. Crummey IV. Relatives and friends are invited and may call on Wednesday October 23, 2013 from 4-7 pm at St. Pius X Church, 23 Crumitie Road, Loudonville. Edward's Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday October 24 at 10:00 am at St. Pius X Church, 23 Crumitie Road, Loudonville. Fr. Michael Farano, Fr. James Walsh and Fr. Kenneth Paulli, OFM will officiate. Memorial contributions can be made to the Development Office; Collegiate School, 260 W. 78th Street, New York, New York 10024 Interment will take place next to his beloved Betty at St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands. For information or to light a memory candle for the family, please visit www.dufresneandcavanaugh.com