When we live our lives as missions, we become aware that there is a home from where we are sent and to where we have to return. We start thinking about ourselves as people who are in a faraway country to bring a message or work on a project, but only for a certain amount of time. When the message has been delivered and the project is finished, we want to return home to give an account of our mission and to rest from our labours. And so, after a long and hard fought battle against cancer, on Wednesday, April 22nd, hailing 'mission accomplished' Robert Isaiah Crawley departed this life with humility and grace and returned home to eternal life. Today we gather to celebrate his loving spirit characterized by integrity, generosity, strength, courage, kindness, loyalty, audacity, perseverance and humor. He inspired us by the simple elegance of his example.
HIS BIRTH
Robert, son of the late Isaiah and Gertrude Crawley was born November 28, 1926 in Cedar Heights, MD.
EARLY LIFE AND MARRIAGE
He was educated in the Washington DC public school system where he excelled in math and Spanish. At the age of 17, he volunteered for service to his country in the U. S. Navy. Shortly thereafter while on military leave a 'blind date' netted him the great fortune of meeting and marrying the love of his life, Sylvia Jackson. In 1947, they were united in Holy Matrimony. This extraordinary union lasted uninterrupted for sixty-nine (69) years as of April 10, 2015. From this marriage, six children were born, Darryle, Joyce, Michael (deceased), Leslie, Bobby (deceased) and Tony (deceased). He was a devoted husband and father.
HIS LIFE ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Robert had a varied and interesting employment history. Notably, his 16 years of service at Progress Lighting Co., where he became the first African American Supervisor gave him tremendous pride. It was during this time that the dream of entrepreneurship was formented. Participation on the company bowling league was the catalyst. He ultimately achieved his goal by becoming the proud owner/operator of #2 Bowling Lane (Bowlerdrome and Sansom St) #2 gasoline stations, (Sunoco) and a Billiard Room (Cue & Cushion). During this phase he inspired and mentored many young people and garnered the name of "The Pres & Pied Piper of Sansom Street". Noteworthy also are the following milestones:
Co-founder of the Greater Philadelphia Bowling Senate: 1st President serving for 5 years
Started the 1st NBA Sanctioned Leagues
Twenty-five years ago he started the GPBS College Scholarship Fund, serving as Chairman for several years since 1998
Joe Blue Award recipient in 1969 to his surprise and delight.
Serving as a member of the Judicial Committee under the chairmanship of Jude Levan Gordon
Creating a Traveling Group of bowlers who participated in tournaments in and around the U.S.
CHURCH LIFE
Robert continued with the spirit of "servant hood" by serving as chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Greater White Rock Baptist Church and later as a Trustee Board Member at the 59th Street Baptist Church. He was deeply devoted to both.
He leaves to treasure and cherish his memory: a loving and faithful wife, Sylvia (Pansy); three children, Darryle, Joyce and Leslie; three grandchildren, Nichele, Anica and Darryle Jr.; five great-grandchildren, Niem, Ryan, Amber, Tamir and Mykee; two daughters-in-law, Emmarie Crawley and Phyllis Crawley; one granddaughter-in-law, Nita Crawley; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
In addition to his family, Bob will be missed by the many friends and co-workers he associated with during his lifetime.
- Terry Funeral Home
HIS BIRTH
Robert, son of the late Isaiah and Gertrude Crawley was born November 28, 1926 in Cedar Heights, MD.
EARLY LIFE AND MARRIAGE
He was educated in the Washington DC public school system where he excelled in math and Spanish. At the age of 17, he volunteered for service to his country in the U. S. Navy. Shortly thereafter while on military leave a 'blind date' netted him the great fortune of meeting and marrying the love of his life, Sylvia Jackson. In 1947, they were united in Holy Matrimony. This extraordinary union lasted uninterrupted for sixty-nine (69) years as of April 10, 2015. From this marriage, six children were born, Darryle, Joyce, Michael (deceased), Leslie, Bobby (deceased) and Tony (deceased). He was a devoted husband and father.
HIS LIFE ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Robert had a varied and interesting employment history. Notably, his 16 years of service at Progress Lighting Co., where he became the first African American Supervisor gave him tremendous pride. It was during this time that the dream of entrepreneurship was formented. Participation on the company bowling league was the catalyst. He ultimately achieved his goal by becoming the proud owner/operator of #2 Bowling Lane (Bowlerdrome and Sansom St) #2 gasoline stations, (Sunoco) and a Billiard Room (Cue & Cushion). During this phase he inspired and mentored many young people and garnered the name of "The Pres & Pied Piper of Sansom Street". Noteworthy also are the following milestones:
Co-founder of the Greater Philadelphia Bowling Senate: 1st President serving for 5 years
Started the 1st NBA Sanctioned Leagues
Twenty-five years ago he started the GPBS College Scholarship Fund, serving as Chairman for several years since 1998
Joe Blue Award recipient in 1969 to his surprise and delight.
Serving as a member of the Judicial Committee under the chairmanship of Jude Levan Gordon
Creating a Traveling Group of bowlers who participated in tournaments in and around the U.S.
CHURCH LIFE
Robert continued with the spirit of "servant hood" by serving as chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Greater White Rock Baptist Church and later as a Trustee Board Member at the 59th Street Baptist Church. He was deeply devoted to both.
He leaves to treasure and cherish his memory: a loving and faithful wife, Sylvia (Pansy); three children, Darryle, Joyce and Leslie; three grandchildren, Nichele, Anica and Darryle Jr.; five great-grandchildren, Niem, Ryan, Amber, Tamir and Mykee; two daughters-in-law, Emmarie Crawley and Phyllis Crawley; one granddaughter-in-law, Nita Crawley; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
In addition to his family, Bob will be missed by the many friends and co-workers he associated with during his lifetime.
- Terry Funeral Home
When we live our lives as missions, we become aware that there is a home from where we are sent and to where we have to return. We start thinking about ourselves as people who are in a faraway country to bring a message or work on a project, but only for a certain amount of time. When the message has been delivered and the project is finished, we want to return home to give an account of our mission and to rest from our labours. And so, after a long and hard fought battle against cancer, on Wednesday, April 22nd, hailing 'mission accomplished' Robert Isaiah Crawley departed this life with humility and grace and returned home to eternal life. Today we gather to celebrate his loving spirit characterized by integrity, generosity, strength, courage, kindness, loyalty, audacity, perseverance and humor. He inspired us by the simple elegance of his example.
HIS BIRTH
Robert, son of the late Isaiah and Gertrude Crawley was born November 28, 1926 in Cedar Heights, MD.
EARLY LIFE AND MARRIAGE
He was educated in the Washington DC public school system where he excelled in math and Spanish. At the age of 17, he volunteered for service to his country in the U. S. Navy. Shortly thereafter while on military leave a 'blind date' netted him the great fortune of meeting and marrying the love of his life, Sylvia Jackson. In 1947, they were united in Holy Matrimony. This extraordinary union lasted uninterrupted for sixty-nine (69) years as of April 10, 2015. From this marriage, six children were born, Darryle, Joyce, Michael (deceased), Leslie, Bobby (deceased) and Tony (deceased). He was a devoted husband and father.
HIS LIFE ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Robert had a varied and interesting employment history. Notably, his 16 years of service at Progress Lighting Co., where he became the first African American Supervisor gave him tremendous pride. It was during this time that the dream of entrepreneurship was formented. Participation on the company bowling league was the catalyst. He ultimately achieved his goal by becoming the proud owner/operator of #2 Bowling Lane (Bowlerdrome and Sansom St) #2 gasoline stations, (Sunoco) and a Billiard Room (Cue & Cushion). During this phase he inspired and mentored many young people and garnered the name of "The Pres & Pied Piper of Sansom Street". Noteworthy also are the following milestones:
Co-founder of the Greater Philadelphia Bowling Senate: 1st President serving for 5 years
Started the 1st NBA Sanctioned Leagues
Twenty-five years ago he started the GPBS College Scholarship Fund, serving as Chairman for several years since 1998
Joe Blue Award recipient in 1969 to his surprise and delight.
Serving as a member of the Judicial Committee under the chairmanship of Jude Levan Gordon
Creating a Traveling Group of bowlers who participated in tournaments in and around the U.S.
CHURCH LIFE
Robert continued with the spirit of "servant hood" by serving as chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Greater White Rock Baptist Church and later as a Trustee Board Member at the 59th Street Baptist Church. He was deeply devoted to both.
He leaves to treasure and cherish his memory: a loving and faithful wife, Sylvia (Pansy); three children, Darryle, Joyce and Leslie; three grandchildren, Nichele, Anica and Darryle Jr.; five great-grandchildren, Niem, Ryan, Amber, Tamir and Mykee; two daughters-in-law, Emmarie Crawley and Phyllis Crawley; one granddaughter-in-law, Nita Crawley; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
In addition to his family, Bob will be missed by the many friends and co-workers he associated with during his lifetime.
- Terry Funeral Home
HIS BIRTH
Robert, son of the late Isaiah and Gertrude Crawley was born November 28, 1926 in Cedar Heights, MD.
EARLY LIFE AND MARRIAGE
He was educated in the Washington DC public school system where he excelled in math and Spanish. At the age of 17, he volunteered for service to his country in the U. S. Navy. Shortly thereafter while on military leave a 'blind date' netted him the great fortune of meeting and marrying the love of his life, Sylvia Jackson. In 1947, they were united in Holy Matrimony. This extraordinary union lasted uninterrupted for sixty-nine (69) years as of April 10, 2015. From this marriage, six children were born, Darryle, Joyce, Michael (deceased), Leslie, Bobby (deceased) and Tony (deceased). He was a devoted husband and father.
HIS LIFE ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Robert had a varied and interesting employment history. Notably, his 16 years of service at Progress Lighting Co., where he became the first African American Supervisor gave him tremendous pride. It was during this time that the dream of entrepreneurship was formented. Participation on the company bowling league was the catalyst. He ultimately achieved his goal by becoming the proud owner/operator of #2 Bowling Lane (Bowlerdrome and Sansom St) #2 gasoline stations, (Sunoco) and a Billiard Room (Cue & Cushion). During this phase he inspired and mentored many young people and garnered the name of "The Pres & Pied Piper of Sansom Street". Noteworthy also are the following milestones:
Co-founder of the Greater Philadelphia Bowling Senate: 1st President serving for 5 years
Started the 1st NBA Sanctioned Leagues
Twenty-five years ago he started the GPBS College Scholarship Fund, serving as Chairman for several years since 1998
Joe Blue Award recipient in 1969 to his surprise and delight.
Serving as a member of the Judicial Committee under the chairmanship of Jude Levan Gordon
Creating a Traveling Group of bowlers who participated in tournaments in and around the U.S.
CHURCH LIFE
Robert continued with the spirit of "servant hood" by serving as chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Greater White Rock Baptist Church and later as a Trustee Board Member at the 59th Street Baptist Church. He was deeply devoted to both.
He leaves to treasure and cherish his memory: a loving and faithful wife, Sylvia (Pansy); three children, Darryle, Joyce and Leslie; three grandchildren, Nichele, Anica and Darryle Jr.; five great-grandchildren, Niem, Ryan, Amber, Tamir and Mykee; two daughters-in-law, Emmarie Crawley and Phyllis Crawley; one granddaughter-in-law, Nita Crawley; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
In addition to his family, Bob will be missed by the many friends and co-workers he associated with during his lifetime.
- Terry Funeral Home
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