Thomas R. Crowley, owned real estate firm
Thomas R. Crowley, 90, of Rehoboth Beach passed away peacefully surrounded by family Monday Oct. 18, 2021, at Beebe Healthcare in Lewes.
Tom was born and raised in the Washington, D.C. area to the late Thomas R. Crowley and Frances (Sullivan) Crowley, and was the oldest of five children.
He graduated from Georgetown Preparatory School in 1949 and later graduated from Georgetown University. He was inducted into Georgetown Prep Athletics Hall of Fame in 2009 and gave a 30-second acceptance speech, as was his way. He moved to the Rehoboth Beach area in the late 1960s and worked at Angola by the Bay, and later helped start Bethany West before starting his own business, Crowley Associates, in 1972. The year 1972 was a turning point for Tom as he started a business, got sober and married his loving wife of 49 years, Wanda.
He was an active member of Alcoholics Anonymous, and went to any lengths to keep his sobriety and pass it on to others. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed the relationships cultivated through AA and the links. He loved his Irish heritage and was a devout Catholic. He mostly enjoyed spending time with his wife Wanda and all their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is a great example of a life well lived and will be missed by many. The family would like to thank Dr. Srihari Peri, a dear family friend, who helped Tom extend his golf career as well as quality of life. A true and loved friend.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Wanda M. Crowley; his children, Michael Crowley, Thomas and Gerda Crowley, David and Tracy Crowley, Brian and Carol-Lynne Crowley, Cathleen Crowley and Deborah Steinbach; his stepchildren, Sherry Ternahan, Robert and Diane Ternahan; his 19 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by sister Jane Crowley Koones, and brothers William, Richard and Edward Crowley.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, Oct. 25, at 11:30 a.m., at St. Edmond Catholic Church, 401 King Charles Ave., Rehoboth Beach, where friends and family may visit after 10:30 a.m. Interment will be held privately at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Dagsboro.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions in Tom’s name to the Tunnell Cancer Center, c/o Beebe Medical Foundation, 902 Savannah Road, Lewes, DE 19958, or the Wounded Warrior Project by visiting www.woundedwarriorproject.org.
Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.melsonfuneralservices.com.
