CRAWFORD, Paul Crawford
CRAWFORD, Paul – Life is changed, not ended.
It is with overwhelming sorrow that we share with you the loss of Paul Crawford.
Paul died unexpectedly, on Friday, July 21, 2023, at Michael Garron Hospital in Toronto.
Paul had a rough start in life.
He was a fighter and a survivor. He was born prematurely on October 13, 1944.
He weighed two pounds and one ounce at birth and was incubated for his first 3 months.
He later fought additional battles, diabetes and heart disease, but kept on fighting. He loved God, his family and friends and life itself.
Paul was predeceased by his mother, Helen Mary Clancy Crawford; father, Joseph Paul Stanislaus Crawford; three siblings: Antoinette (Toni) Campolin, Colleen Callaghan and Crawford, Stephen Crawford; his son-in-law, John Ferreira; and his great-granddaughter, Cali Crawford.
Paul is survived by 2 siblings, Christine and Gabrielle; his former wife, Yvonne and their 3 children, Deborah Ferreira, Carol Crawford, and Tara Terry (Robert); and his present wife, Nancy and her 2 children, Christine Bonner (Adrian) and Kevin Bonner (Simina). Paul was an amazing husband, generous brother, devoted father/stepfather and true friend.
He was the playful and loving Papa of 9 grandchildren: Melissa, Madison, Julia, Paige, Aidan, Cailan, James, Kiera and Benjamin; and 1 great-grandchild, Mikaela.
Paul worked most of his life, starting in the mailroom at Ontario Hydro and working his way up to becoming a Purchasing Specialist.
After his retirement from Ontario Hydro in 1993, he worked for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Toronto, first at St. Brigid’s Parish and second at the Pastoral Centre as Manager of Supplies and Services.
Paul was a much-loved worker, supervisor, manager and friend. He brought out the best in people and was an excellent coach and mentor. He made work fun; his staff love him to this day.
Paul gave generously of himself to the communities he belonged to: Pee Wee Baseball; CNE Toronto; Knights of Columbus; St. Brigid’s Parish; elected Catholic School Trustee, TCDSB; Catholic Missions in Canada; and the Serra Club. Paul loved the Roman Catholic Church and all its Liturgies.
He served in St. Brigid’s Parish for close to 60 years, volunteering on all committees, serving in the liturgies as altar server, lector and minister of Holy Communion, teaching altar servers and most recently teaching Baptism preparation.
Paul will be terribly missed. “Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him, may he rest in peace.
Amen” The family will receive friends at Heritage Funeral Centre, 50 Overlea Blvd., Toronto, on Sunday, July 30th and Monday, July 31st, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, August 1st, at 10 a.m., at ST. BRIGID’S PARISH, 300 Wolverleigh Blvd., Toronto. A private cremation will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Brigid’s Parish, Diabetes Canada, Catholic Missions in Canada, The Angel Foundation for Learning, or to the Heart & Stroke Foundation.
TorontoObituaries.com
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