Condolences
I cannot adequately express with words what a tremendous loss Stephen's passing is to our family. deepest and sincerest condolences to his wife Kathleen and daughter Larissa. I know he loved you both very much and you stood lovingly by his bedside in his last days. Cherish the good memories you have with him as we all will. I have a lifetime of memories with Steve, so it will be impossible to put them all in print, but he was my dear cousin and godfather who I loved so much with all my heart! He loved his family so much. We were so close growing up that he was more like a brother to my siblings and I. My brother Kevin & he were surely like brothers. My mother, Jean and his mother Mary were extremely close sisters, so we cousins were close as well. My siblings, Sue, Mary and Kevin and his wife Brenda miss him very much! We spent many holidays with them, Steve, Aunt Mary and our Uncle Snooky (aka Frank). We always had such nice gatherings together. He and Aunt Mary would always lay out the red carpet when we came over and made us always feel so welcome and special! Aunt Mary, his mother, who he was very close with made delicious holiday dinners up at Naples Terrace in the Bronx.
Steve had a big heart, was extremely generous and would do anything for us and was there for my family and I if he could be. He put his family first. He was always genuinely concerned about everyone he cared for, especially his family. He was a kind-hearted, sincere gentleman, yet had a fun-loving personality...easy going with a very quick wit! He made us all laugh and we often had a lot of joking in the family over the years. Over the last several years as we watched our parents age, Steve and I had many nice talks. He recalled with love and gratitude to my parents, especially to my father, that they included him in our family events, backyard gatherings and family picnics. They treated him like one of our family! I was one of the younger cousins, being the last of the 5 children in our family, so I wasn't around for many of the earlier years, but during my conversations with Steve over the last few years, he spoke of his fond memories of coming out to visit our family at the house in Cambria Heights...relating to me the layout of the house...obviously precious memories of love to him. He spoke to me of our other sister Denise who went to Heaven before him and told me what a nice girl she was. She died when I was very young, so I didn't know her as well. We have fond memories of a summer vacation in Point Pleasant beach in NJ (Seaside Heights) which my brother Kevin mentioned. He and Kevin slept out on the beach and built a big sandcastle overnight!
Steve liked football and The Pittsburgh Steelers was his favorite team. He'd be watching football when we'd go up for family dinners. I loved his extensive model train set in his basement which was quite impressive. I was blessed to have Stephen as my godfather (his mother Mary was my godmother). Over the last several years, Steve called my 94 yr old father who has dementia (his Uncle Nick, who treated him like a son) many times to say hello and see how he was doing. He truly expressed his gratitude to my father.
Being my godfather was very special to Steve and he and I always sent "godfather' and "goddaughter" cards to each other for each other's birthdays! I always sent him a "godfather" card for Father's day as I did this past June. I will always be thinking of him on his birthday and on Father's day. Larissa, you were blessed with a very special father!
I had a special song and dance with Steve at my wedding because he was my godfather and because we were very close. It was "This is Your Song", but Elton John. Some of the words say..."I hope you don't mind that I wrote down in words how wonderful life is while you're in the world"...life was wonderful while you were in the world and we will miss you forever Stephen. The DJ at my wedding played the theme to the godfather as Steve was walking onto the dance floor. I have it on videotape.
I know you're with your parents in heaven Steve and with my Mom and all our loving aunts and uncles. I'm sure they welcomed you with open arms. Please give them each a big hug for me! When we all make it there, we are going to get a big cake and have one big Crowley reunion! I'm sure you're making all the angels and saints laugh up in Heaven with your wonderful sense of humor Steve. Steve, you were a very special and unique person and everyone who was related to you or who knew you was blessed. I was extremely blessed to have you as a loving cousin and godfather. Thank you for all your love and for all you did for me and all our family. We are heartbroken at your passing, but I know you're with God and the rest of our family...especially your dear mother who you were so close to and took such good care of. I hope you can still feel our love because we can still feel yours! I will always cherish our memories and will forever be grateful for the gift you in my life. Rest in the peace of Christ and His Mother Mary and we will see you on the other side Steve. I have been praying for you and will continue to do so. Steve, you'll be forever in our hearts...With all my love, Caroline
I cannot express my profound sense of loss and sympathy, that I feel for Kathleen and Larissa, and our family. Steve was more like a brother than a cousin, and so the flood of memories makes it easy for me to find a few things to share, like seeing the Beatles at Shea Stadium, the trip to Williamsburg, Va. or to Seaside Heights, where we played rock n roll in the garage til the cops came. Steve was my Best Man at my wedding 40 years ago. And when distance kept us apart raising our families, he always called on special occasions. If I wasn't home, he would tease my wife Brenda, with a fake name and voice that always brought out a laugh, when he couldn't continue with the joke. I am deeply saddened and I will miss him dearly. He was my hero, and I always wanted to be like him. The world has grown darker with the loss of Steve's shining star. You're with God Steve, and our never ending love.
To my great friend and co worker. It was such a wonderful time they day we worked together. I especially remember all our coffee breaks and donuts you smuggled into our work area every morning.I will always hold our friendship and our phone conversations forever with me. Steve you were the man among men and a great friend and mentor to me! I especially want to send my deepest sympathy to Kathleen and Larissa you ladies are angels on earth. Rest in peace my brother and fellow American. We will miss you today and everyday. God bless you! Your friends forever Vito and Laura
I knew Steve from Kingsbridge, late teens early 20’s. He was a true gentleman.
My deepest sympathy to his family and friends. I first met Steve 50 years ago as a teenager working together in a gas station. He was truly my first hero, taking me around and always paying for things. That didn't stop decades later. I was honored to be his Best Man and stay the best of friends right up to just a few hours before the good Lord called him home.
Steve and Kathy are worth billions... in human worth based on their absolutely fantastic daughter, who now thanks to mom and dad, will change generations for the better.
Like so many, I'm very sad at the moment, but as soon as I recall just one of so many great memories over 50 years, and so long as I can see his greatest gift, continue to grow into a wonderful lady and nurse, I will get through the heartache.
I love you so much, my dear friend.