Nathaniel J. Crowley, Sr., 98, passed away July 31 at the Maine State Veterans’ Home in Bangor.
He was born in Chelsea, Mass. on May 14, 1917, the son of James and Eva Crowley. He was a 1942 graduate of the University of Maine where he earned Bachelor and Masters Degrees. While at Maine he was a Sophomore Owl and Senior Skull and earned nine varsity letters in football, basketball, and baseball. After college, his sports career included semi-pro basketball and baseball for the Bangor Potters and the Sebec Lakers.

Nat was a World War II Veteran having served in the Army Air Corps as a top-turret gunner in the B 24s. Following his service career, he taught and coached at Stearns, John Bapst, Deering and Lewiston high schools. His coaching success included undefeated seasons in football, Western A Championships in basketball and his Lewiston High School team reached the finals in the 1960 New England basketball tournament. Nat was elected to the Sports Halls of Fame at John Bapst, Lewiston, University of Maine Hall of Fame, Maine State Hall of Fame and the New England Basketball Hall of Fame.

His career also included Guidance Director for Lewiston Schools, Dean of Students at the University of Maine at Fort Kent, and administrator at Husson. Following his long and distinguished career as an educator and coach, Nat served 12 years as a State Representative from 1980 to 1992 serving District 112 including his hometown of Stockton Springs.

Nat was predeceased by his wife of 72 years Esther Whitman Crowley of Dover Foxcroft and together they have 10 children, 25 grandchildren and 37 great grandchildren.

Nat is survived by: eight children and their spouses; Nathaniel, Jr. and Julie of Hampden, Michael and Joanne of Stockton Springs, Roger and Louise of East Montpelier VT, Christopher and Paulette of Lewiston, Elanna Farnham and Willard of Brewer, Timothy and Mary of Caribou, Patrick and Cindylee of Bangor, and Constance Bunker of Amherst, MA. He was predeceased by two daughters, Kathy (Mrs. Gordon) Fuller of Hallowell and Anita (Mrs. Lloyd) Christie of California, and a great-granddaughter Mackenzie Crowley.

A Funeral Mass will be held 11 AM, Wednesday, August 5, 2015, at St. Paul the Apostle Parish, St John’s Catholic Church, 207 York Street, Bangor. The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshments in the parish hall following the Funeral Mass. Gifts in his memory may be made in his name to the Maine Veterans Home, Unit E, 44 Hogan Rd, Bangor, Me 04401. A service of Brookings-Smith, Bangor. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com.

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