Obituary of Bruce R Crawford

Bruce Robert Crawford, 69 of Mullica Township fell asleep in death on August 4, 2016 after a yearlong battle with cancer. How do you summarize in a few words the life of a man who meant so much to so many people? He was a husband, father, poppy, and brother, brother in law, uncle, mentor and friend. Bruce was born in Atlantic City on May 13, 1947 and grew up in Galloway Township, graduating from Oakcrest High School and received his BA from Glassboro State College. He began his teaching career at Elmer Slaybaugh School in Egg Harbor Twp., where he started the 1st wrestling program. In the years following he enjoyed the opportunity to be the assistant wrestling coach at Absegami High School alongside his friend Gene Barber. He left teaching for a few years when his son Mikel was diagnosed with epilepsy working in Atlantic City for Caesars and Tropicana. He returned in 1988 to the career his heart never left becoming a teacher at the Hammonton Middle School and head wrestling coach at Hammonton High School from 1988-1996 where he was awarded Teacher of the Year and Coach of the Year (fondly earning the name C.O.T.Y.). He enjoyed being active even into retirement in 2011, competing in powerlifting contests with his son Mikel, going fishing and bowling. We will miss the clanging of his weights in his home gym, the sound of his laugh and the hiccup that always followed when he was being mischievous. The way he could ramble on about any topic that interested him despite having a quiet nature. He was a spiritual man, having strong faith in the Bible's promise of a resurrection to life here on a Paradise earth when he will see Joe again. He loved spending time with Mikel to help him prepare his lessons for the Watchtower study. He is survived by his best friend, love of his life and wife of 46 years, Christine (Gerbig) his daughter (whom he saw and loved first) Shannon Askins, his son and sidekick Mikel; his beloved granddaughter Zoey; his special "buddy" granddaughter Kailey and his brother Dave who was by his side at the end. He is predeceased in death by his mother Janet (Chambers); his sister Janet Lentz and his beloved son Joseph who died tragically on Nov. 27, 2015 in an automobile accident. Funeral arrangements will be at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 4747 White Horse Pike, Egg Harbor City, NJ (Mullica Township). Visitation will be 3 – 4:30 pm, Service will be 4:30 pm and a Repast will be 5:15 pm at the Pomona Gun Club. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Mikel Crawford, 5018 Indian Cabin Road, Egg Harbor, NJ 08215. For further information; please call 609-226-5176.