Obituary of Alvin Mac Crowe

Obituary Alvin McGrath “Mac” Crowe, age 82 passed away on January 17, 2021. The son of Frank Xavier Crowe and Alice McGrath Crowe, he was born December 11, 1938 in Brooks Memorial Hospital at a cost of $87.13 and was most concerned that it might cost a hundred times more to leave this world than it did to enter. He was predeceased by his wife, Audrey M Crowe who endured him for 57 years of marriage. He was also predeceased by his two sisters, Mrs Janice (Kenneth) Woodcock and Mrs Evelyn (Donald) Carlson. Also predeceasing Mr Crowe were his left knee, right shoulder, most of his molars, and significant hair. He was survived by his two daughters Dr. Kirstin (Daniel) Certalic of Phoenix, AZ and Marit (Charles) Ogin of Orchard Park, NY, five grandchildren Charles, Jackson and Alexia Ogin, Clayton and Audrianna Certalic, and one great grandchild, Hadley Ogin. Raised in Fredonia, NY, he first attended the “Campus” elementary School, Fredonia High School where he was a class officer and then graduated from SUNY Fredonia in 1961 as president of the senior class. In high school he participated in football, track, and basketball (team captain). He also experienced an unspectacular basketball career in college. For his entire life he harbored the unfulfilled desire to become an adequate golfer and was a long time member of Tri County Country Club. In addition to golf he enjoyed ‘falldownhill skiing’, ‘falldown water skiing’, and boating. He was a closet Cleveland Indians fan and held both Sabres and Bills season tickets. He attended the first two Bills Superbowl appearances before realizing hell had not frozen over. Mr. Crowe earned a Master’s degree in education from SUNY Fredonia and a second Master’ degree in chemistry and geology from Union College in Schenectady, NY. He completed his administrative certification at Canisius College and did additional studies at the University of Buffalo. He lived the majority of his life in Silver Creek, NY. He taught chemistry, earth science, general science, and health during his first eight years at Silver Creek Central School before he was appointed junior/senior high school principal. He served in that position for 27 years until his retirement and also served as athletic director for nearly 20 years. He was twice asked to be superintendent but preferred the relationship with students and teachers. He was president of The Chautauqua County Athletic Association and also served several terms as president of the The Chautauqua County Secondary Principals’ Association. Always enjoying competition, he was employed as a part time labor relations negotiator by the Chautauqua County BOCES negotiating labor contracts throughout the county. After retirement, he was elected to the Chautauqua County Legislature where he served four terms as assistant minority leader before deciding to spend his winters in Florida. A member of the Silver Creek Kiwanis Club for over 25 years, he served in nearly every position including president and comic ‘end man’ in Kiwanis Kapers variety shows. He was a founding member of the Silver Creek-Irving Revolving Loan Fund serving as chairman and also a founding member of The Silver Creek Heritage Fund. He was a member of the Northern Chautauqua Community Fund Grants Committee, served as grand marshal of the annual Festival of Grapes parade on two occasions, and was a long time usher at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Mac’s memory to the Silver Creek Heritage Fund c/o Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation, 212 Lakeshore Dr., West Dunkirk , NY 14048 or the Silver Creek Emergency Squad, 172 Central Ave., Silver Creek, NY 14136. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Hol-Parker Funeral Chapel, 160 Central Ave., Silver Creek, NY. Private services will be held, with a celebration of both Mac and Audrey’s lives to be held at a future date. Condolences can be shared on-line by viewing Mac (Alvin)’s obituary at www.holeparkerfc.com and clicking on “share a memory”. To send flowers to Alvin's family, please visit our floral store.