John Anthony Crispin, III
It is with great sadness that the family of John Anthony Crispin, III announces his passing from COVID, on Saturday, March 13, 2021 in Lewes, DE. He was 78 years old.
John was born on October 21, 1942 in Folcroft, Pennsylvania where he grew up on his family’s farm. He attended St. Georges Elementary School where he met his future wife Claire in the first grade. The following year Claire moved to the newly built Our Lady of Fatima Elementary School. As a junior at St. James High School (Class of 1961), he reunited with Claire when they recognized each other at Rex’s Golfing Range in Glenolden, PA. They started dating soon after. Four years later they married, on September 21, 1963.
He was employed at Boeing Vertol in Ridley Park, PA where he worked for 40 years and played on the company’s softball team. He was an avid Philadelphia sports fan who enjoyed watching and participating in sports. At age 56, while playing in a Turkey Bowl football game with his three sons he was named Athlete of the Week by the Cape Gazette.
John and his family spent their vacations at their summer home in Pot Nets (formerly Indian Landing) in Long Neck, DE., where he indulged his passion for crabbing on the Indian River Bay.
He retired to Lewes, DE where he spent his mornings drinking coffee and reading the paper at his son Joe’s delicatessen. He was a volunteer at the Millsboro American Legion #28. He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. He was fond of Sundays with his family, especially during football season.
John was the son of John and Rose Crispin of Folcroft, PA. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Claire (nee Simon), sons John IV (Bela), Joe (Melissa), and Michael (Annette) and his seven grandchildren. John is also survived by his siblings Grace Driscoll (nee Crispin), Genevieve Mogan (nee Crispin) and Carmen Crispin.
Services and interment are private. For online condolences and information regarding the livestreaming of Mr. Crispin’s Funeral Mass please view his obituary at www.cavanaghfuneralhome. com. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Saint Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105, or Covenant House, 550 10th Avenue, New York, NY 10018.