On May 29, 2012 John Stewart Croucher passed away at the Gilchrist Hospice Center after a brief illness. Born 5/13/1922 he was the second of five children born to the late John T. and Elizabeth Croucher (nee Habersack). Born and raised in Baltimore, MD he grew up in Highlandtown, attended Patterson Park High School and completed his education at Vocational School #293 where he received his degree for studies in Machine Shop and related shop studies.
His first job as machinist apprentice was with Flynn & Emrich Co. in 1941 which he left to enter active service with the U.S. Navy on 3/21/44. He served for nearly two years aboard the U.S.S. Schmitt where he was assigned duty operating combustion engineered boilers. Later he was assigned duty on a Griscom Russell to effect evaporation and thereafter was given complete charge of the distilling plant. For his final five months at sea he had charge of the ship's machine shop and was Acting Chief of the Engineering Division. He was honorably discharged from the Navy on 6/6/1946. He loved his service in the Navy and spoke often reminiscing about his tour of duty and the pride he experienced as a WWII veteran.
Following his discharge he resumed employment with Flynn & Emrich for 18 months after which he became employed in l948 at Fort Howard Veterans Administration Hospital where he spent the remainder of his working days. For several years he worked in the Orthopedic Brace Shop where his machinist skills and creativity were put to use fabricating all types of orthopedic appliances, braces and prosthetics used for fabricating all types of appliances, braces and prosthetics used for veterans with deformities, weaknesses or malfunction of body parts. From a career standpoint this was the happiest time of his employment. So successful was he in the development of these appliances and braces he was asked to work at Johns Hopkins University at night making tools and instruments in the low temperature laboratory. He worked four hours a night designing and making special operating instruments for use in surgery. A few of his works made it into medical journals. In Oct., 1952 the American Medical Assoc. listed two of his inventions, and in Sept., 1954 the Journal of the American Medical Assoc. listed a mechanical hip extension.
John met his wife at Fort Howard Hospital where she worked as a secretary in the clinical laboratory. After their marriage in 1960 he transferred to the Engineering Division where he was employed as Planner-Estimator and was responsible for cost estimates for equipment installation to effect restoration of various hospital buildings and housing units on the property. He retired with 45 years service and finally began to enjoy retirement with his family.
John Croucher was passionate about his family. He loved his wife, children and grandchildren and was much loved in return. He was a gentleman in every sense of the word, quick to offer help to neighbors, especially the older folk, mowing lawns, shoveling snow and fixing plates of food for the elderly. He always had a kind word for others, often saying, "If you talk about me, you're letting someone else alone."
John Croucher was the beloved husband of Josephine "Josie" (nee DiStefano) and loving father of daughters Kelly J. Naumann (husband Richard) and Terri C. Spagnolo (husband Vincent), and sons Stewart T. (wife Rebecca), Melvin J. (wife Dorothy) and Todd L. (wife Amanda). Much loved by thirteen grandchildren – Ariel, Madison and Todd Spagnolo, Holly, Paige and Douglas Naumann, John S., Caroline and Camden Croucher, Jonathan and Brianna Croucher, and Alexandra and Luke Croucher. Also survived by brothers Melvin C. (wife Elvira) and Herbert E. (wife Ellen), and sister-in-law Loretta (husband Don) and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by brother Charles A. and sister Catherine E. Kafer.
His first job as machinist apprentice was with Flynn & Emrich Co. in 1941 which he left to enter active service with the U.S. Navy on 3/21/44. He served for nearly two years aboard the U.S.S. Schmitt where he was assigned duty operating combustion engineered boilers. Later he was assigned duty on a Griscom Russell to effect evaporation and thereafter was given complete charge of the distilling plant. For his final five months at sea he had charge of the ship's machine shop and was Acting Chief of the Engineering Division. He was honorably discharged from the Navy on 6/6/1946. He loved his service in the Navy and spoke often reminiscing about his tour of duty and the pride he experienced as a WWII veteran.
Following his discharge he resumed employment with Flynn & Emrich for 18 months after which he became employed in l948 at Fort Howard Veterans Administration Hospital where he spent the remainder of his working days. For several years he worked in the Orthopedic Brace Shop where his machinist skills and creativity were put to use fabricating all types of orthopedic appliances, braces and prosthetics used for fabricating all types of appliances, braces and prosthetics used for veterans with deformities, weaknesses or malfunction of body parts. From a career standpoint this was the happiest time of his employment. So successful was he in the development of these appliances and braces he was asked to work at Johns Hopkins University at night making tools and instruments in the low temperature laboratory. He worked four hours a night designing and making special operating instruments for use in surgery. A few of his works made it into medical journals. In Oct., 1952 the American Medical Assoc. listed two of his inventions, and in Sept., 1954 the Journal of the American Medical Assoc. listed a mechanical hip extension.
John met his wife at Fort Howard Hospital where she worked as a secretary in the clinical laboratory. After their marriage in 1960 he transferred to the Engineering Division where he was employed as Planner-Estimator and was responsible for cost estimates for equipment installation to effect restoration of various hospital buildings and housing units on the property. He retired with 45 years service and finally began to enjoy retirement with his family.
John Croucher was passionate about his family. He loved his wife, children and grandchildren and was much loved in return. He was a gentleman in every sense of the word, quick to offer help to neighbors, especially the older folk, mowing lawns, shoveling snow and fixing plates of food for the elderly. He always had a kind word for others, often saying, "If you talk about me, you're letting someone else alone."
John Croucher was the beloved husband of Josephine "Josie" (nee DiStefano) and loving father of daughters Kelly J. Naumann (husband Richard) and Terri C. Spagnolo (husband Vincent), and sons Stewart T. (wife Rebecca), Melvin J. (wife Dorothy) and Todd L. (wife Amanda). Much loved by thirteen grandchildren – Ariel, Madison and Todd Spagnolo, Holly, Paige and Douglas Naumann, John S., Caroline and Camden Croucher, Jonathan and Brianna Croucher, and Alexandra and Luke Croucher. Also survived by brothers Melvin C. (wife Elvira) and Herbert E. (wife Ellen), and sister-in-law Loretta (husband Don) and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by brother Charles A. and sister Catherine E. Kafer.
On May 29, 2012 John Stewart Croucher passed away at the Gilchrist Hospice Center after a brief illness. Born 5/13/1922 he was the second of five children born to the late John T. and Elizabeth Croucher (nee Habersack). Born and raised in Baltimore, MD he grew up in Highlandtown, attended Patterson Park High School and completed his education at Vocational School #293 where he received his degree for studies in Machine Shop and related shop studies.
His first job as machinist apprentice was with Flynn & Emrich Co. in 1941 which he left to enter active service with the U.S. Navy on 3/21/44. He served for nearly two years aboard the U.S.S. Schmitt where he was assigned duty operating combustion engineered boilers. Later he was assigned duty on a Griscom Russell to effect evaporation and thereafter was given complete charge of the distilling plant. For his final five months at sea he had charge of the ship's machine shop and was Acting Chief of the Engineering Division. He was honorably discharged from the Navy on 6/6/1946. He loved his service in the Navy and spoke often reminiscing about his tour of duty and the pride he experienced as a WWII veteran.
Following his discharge he resumed employment with Flynn & Emrich for 18 months after which he became employed in l948 at Fort Howard Veterans Administration Hospital where he spent the remainder of his working days. For several years he worked in the Orthopedic Brace Shop where his machinist skills and creativity were put to use fabricating all types of orthopedic appliances, braces and prosthetics used for fabricating all types of appliances, braces and prosthetics used for veterans with deformities, weaknesses or malfunction of body parts. From a career standpoint this was the happiest time of his employment. So successful was he in the development of these appliances and braces he was asked to work at Johns Hopkins University at night making tools and instruments in the low temperature laboratory. He worked four hours a night designing and making special operating instruments for use in surgery. A few of his works made it into medical journals. In Oct., 1952 the American Medical Assoc. listed two of his inventions, and in Sept., 1954 the Journal of the American Medical Assoc. listed a mechanical hip extension.
John met his wife at Fort Howard Hospital where she worked as a secretary in the clinical laboratory. After their marriage in 1960 he transferred to the Engineering Division where he was employed as Planner-Estimator and was responsible for cost estimates for equipment installation to effect restoration of various hospital buildings and housing units on the property. He retired with 45 years service and finally began to enjoy retirement with his family.
John Croucher was passionate about his family. He loved his wife, children and grandchildren and was much loved in return. He was a gentleman in every sense of the word, quick to offer help to neighbors, especially the older folk, mowing lawns, shoveling snow and fixing plates of food for the elderly. He always had a kind word for others, often saying, "If you talk about me, you're letting someone else alone."
John Croucher was the beloved husband of Josephine "Josie" (nee DiStefano) and loving father of daughters Kelly J. Naumann (husband Richard) and Terri C. Spagnolo (husband Vincent), and sons Stewart T. (wife Rebecca), Melvin J. (wife Dorothy) and Todd L. (wife Amanda). Much loved by thirteen grandchildren – Ariel, Madison and Todd Spagnolo, Holly, Paige and Douglas Naumann, John S., Caroline and Camden Croucher, Jonathan and Brianna Croucher, and Alexandra and Luke Croucher. Also survived by brothers Melvin C. (wife Elvira) and Herbert E. (wife Ellen), and sister-in-law Loretta (husband Don) and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by brother Charles A. and sister Catherine E. Kafer.
His first job as machinist apprentice was with Flynn & Emrich Co. in 1941 which he left to enter active service with the U.S. Navy on 3/21/44. He served for nearly two years aboard the U.S.S. Schmitt where he was assigned duty operating combustion engineered boilers. Later he was assigned duty on a Griscom Russell to effect evaporation and thereafter was given complete charge of the distilling plant. For his final five months at sea he had charge of the ship's machine shop and was Acting Chief of the Engineering Division. He was honorably discharged from the Navy on 6/6/1946. He loved his service in the Navy and spoke often reminiscing about his tour of duty and the pride he experienced as a WWII veteran.
Following his discharge he resumed employment with Flynn & Emrich for 18 months after which he became employed in l948 at Fort Howard Veterans Administration Hospital where he spent the remainder of his working days. For several years he worked in the Orthopedic Brace Shop where his machinist skills and creativity were put to use fabricating all types of orthopedic appliances, braces and prosthetics used for fabricating all types of appliances, braces and prosthetics used for veterans with deformities, weaknesses or malfunction of body parts. From a career standpoint this was the happiest time of his employment. So successful was he in the development of these appliances and braces he was asked to work at Johns Hopkins University at night making tools and instruments in the low temperature laboratory. He worked four hours a night designing and making special operating instruments for use in surgery. A few of his works made it into medical journals. In Oct., 1952 the American Medical Assoc. listed two of his inventions, and in Sept., 1954 the Journal of the American Medical Assoc. listed a mechanical hip extension.
John met his wife at Fort Howard Hospital where she worked as a secretary in the clinical laboratory. After their marriage in 1960 he transferred to the Engineering Division where he was employed as Planner-Estimator and was responsible for cost estimates for equipment installation to effect restoration of various hospital buildings and housing units on the property. He retired with 45 years service and finally began to enjoy retirement with his family.
John Croucher was passionate about his family. He loved his wife, children and grandchildren and was much loved in return. He was a gentleman in every sense of the word, quick to offer help to neighbors, especially the older folk, mowing lawns, shoveling snow and fixing plates of food for the elderly. He always had a kind word for others, often saying, "If you talk about me, you're letting someone else alone."
John Croucher was the beloved husband of Josephine "Josie" (nee DiStefano) and loving father of daughters Kelly J. Naumann (husband Richard) and Terri C. Spagnolo (husband Vincent), and sons Stewart T. (wife Rebecca), Melvin J. (wife Dorothy) and Todd L. (wife Amanda). Much loved by thirteen grandchildren – Ariel, Madison and Todd Spagnolo, Holly, Paige and Douglas Naumann, John S., Caroline and Camden Croucher, Jonathan and Brianna Croucher, and Alexandra and Luke Croucher. Also survived by brothers Melvin C. (wife Elvira) and Herbert E. (wife Ellen), and sister-in-law Loretta (husband Don) and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by brother Charles A. and sister Catherine E. Kafer.
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