H. Gordon Crowley, 87 PORTLAND -- H. Gordon Crowley, 87, of 19 Colson Circle died Monday, Sept. 1, 2008. He was born in South Thomaston, on Sept. 5, 1920, the son of Harvey D. and Charlotte McConchie Crowley. Gordon graduated from Rockland High School, Kents Hill School, and U.S. Maritime School, Fort Trumbull. He served as a Merchant Marine during WWII.

Gordon married Anna R. Goff in October 1947. He was a member of Masonic Lodge #189, The Society for the Preservation of Ballroom Dancing, and the Portland School Committee. He was predeceased by a grandson, George William Manter Jr. He is survived by his wife, Anna; daughters, Susan Manter and husband George, Jean Quade and husband Preston, sons Robert and wife Peggy, David and wife Cheryl; 10 grandchildren; sister Celia Hurtubise; nieces and nephews.

There will be a Mass of Christian burial at St. Jude's Catholic Church, Main Street, Freeport, Saturday, Sept. 6 at 11 a.m. Arrangements by Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St., Portland. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Knox Lodge # 189 466 Heald Hwy Union, Maine 04862 or St. Jude's of Sacred Heart Church 326 Main St. Yarmouth, Maine 04096 H. Gordon Crowley Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home & Cremation Service 775-3763

FEATURE OBITUARY: H. Gordon Crowley, 87, dexterous, civic-minded 'true gentleman'
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By MELANIE CREAMER News AssistantSeptember 4, 2008

Just before Bob Crowley left to compete on the CBS reality show "Survivor," his father, H. Gordon Crowley, offered him some words of wisdom.

He said, "Bob, bluffing in poker is not lying. Play for all the marbles in the pot," recalled his son.

Mr. Crowley, who died Monday at the age of 87, was his son's biggest fan.

"It's killing me that my dad won't see it," said Crowley, the second oldest of four children. "He was so excited about me being on the show and representing Maine. He thought I would do a good job."

Mr. Crowley was remembered by his family as a devoted husband and father who embraced life and lived to set an example.

Bob Crowley said his parents were supportive and attended every athletic event and school activity.

"He had so much faith in all of us and in his grandchildren. He had faith that we would do a good job and work hard. That was the example he and my mother set," he said.

Mr. Crowley and his wife, Anna, were married for nearly 61 years.

They met after World War II at a dance at the American Legion Hall in Westbrook. It was fate, according to Anna Crowley, who said they had a great life together and danced regularly until last spring.

"He was a beautiful dancer. He was a ballroom dancer. He was a true gentleman, he really was," his wife said, reflecting on the closeness they shared. "I'll miss his right arm. He always put his arm out for me. We walked arm in arm for years."

Mr. Crowley, formerly of Freeport, was a retired office manager for Community Oil Co. in South Portland. He worked for the company for more than 25 years.

He served on the Portland School Committee in the late 1960s and early 1970s and was a member of Masonic Lodge 189.

His son said he felt an obligation to serve the community.

Mr. Crowley also enjoyed connecting with his grandchildren and tackling home repairs.

"I have never hired an oil burner repairman," his son said. "At 87 years old, he came here to clean my furnace. Then he drove to my brother-in-law's house and cleaned his furnace."

Mr. Crowley enjoyed being at a his camp on a Casco Bay island. A sign on the door reads, "You are welcome to take shelter. Please close the door when you leave."

Over the years, Mr. Crowley and his wife opened their doors to people who needed shelter from a storm, water or just a peaceful place to go.