HOLYOKE, MA – Crawford Warren Kellogg died on February 21, 2013 after a long illness. He was 89. Crawford spent the last four and a half years of his life at the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke, where he received excellent care as an Alzheimer’s patient.Crawford’s family was grateful that his military service qualified him for in-patient care at the Soldiers’ Home. Crawford spent three years as a Navy flight engineer toward the end of World War II, as well as eight years in the Naval Reserve after the war. He was stationed in Hawaii during his tour of duty. While his term in Hawaii was after the attack on Pearl Harbor, he helped the end-of-the-war effort by instructing pilots and flight support personnel in the principles and art of conserving fuel for their often arduous flights over the Pacific Ocean.
Crawford was familiar with the laws of aerodynamics both theoretically and practically, as he had achieved qualifications to pilot small aircraft at Barnes Airport before joining the service. His in-air career ended when he discovered that he had an inner ear condition that interfered with his ability to withstand the higher altitudes. Crawford was a quiet man, but his inner mischief maker was revealed in his buzzing of friends’ and relative’s homes with his plane.
After the war, he married his hometown sweetheart and former Marine Lance Corporal Dorothy Chandler. Together they built their first home by hand, a tiny three room Cape, on Shaker Road, where they raised their two daughters. They eventually built a larger house next door as well as a cottage in Otis. Crawford became an apprenticed electrician to Ira Rider and rounded out his education with his mentor and lifelong friend, Howard Allen. In time Crawford became a Master electrician and went into business for himself, starting as a solo residential electrician and expanding to managing larger commercial contracts with his own small crew. Crawford’s clients knew when he was fully engaged on the job whenever they would hear his remarkably melodious whistling. Later in his career, he served for a time as Westfield’s Electrical Inspector.
One of Crawford’s favorite pastimes was a good game of cards with wife Dorothy and folks from the Perez family, nephew Bill Chandler and other friends and family members. These weekly games were an institution at Crawford’s house for many years, and while fortunes and players changed over time, the camaraderie was a constant.
Crawford’s life was filled with friends and relatives who loved him and appreciated his generous spirit and neighborly ways. He frequently did free electrical jobs for those who needed something taken care of. And his massive vegetable garden yielded a whole growing season of produce for many a friend’s table. He loved his work, and he worked endlessly to keep it all going, often with his favorite work buddy, Felix Lemire, and ace troubleshooter, Marty Canty.
A true New Englander, Crawford heated his house with wood up to the time he moved to the Soldiers’ Home. He usually cut and split his own wood. To ensure an ample supply of fuel, Crawford bought eighty acres of woodland in the nearby countryside. His house was always very warm. However, Crawford wasn’t afraid to brave the cold. Every November was deer hunting season, and he went up north with his rifle, shotgun or even musket to hunt deer, and once, a bear. And then, of course, he’d share the venison.
Crawford “Cocky” leaves his longtime companion, Patricia M. Kellogg of Westfield, and two daughters, Linda Warriner of Westhampton and Patricia L. Kellogg as well as her husband Herb Brody of Newton, and grandchildren Dustin, Lincoln, and Garth Brody and Laura Gummeson. Crawford also leaves his only surviving sibling, Eunice “Bunny” Fucci of Westfield. Crawford is predeceased by his wife, Dorothy (Chandler); his parents, Warren and Evon (Arkoette) Kellogg, and a number of siblings, including Richard, Blanche “Deeder” Sams, Vernon “Benny,” Hiram “Booby,” Chester, Leon “Bud,” Gladys Noble, Eula “Doody” Twining, Edwin “Bubby,” Maida “Teko” Peck, Leonard “Eddy Do,” Susan Mulville, and Jeanette, a favorite sister who died as a young girl. Crawford also leaves many nieces and nephews, including Janet Orlandi, who lived with the family for several years, and Ted Kellogg, whom he had a special fondness for.
In lieu of a memorial service, those who knew Crawford are encouraged to share thoughts and memories of him in an online memory book available at memorialwebsites.legacy.com/kellogg. Arrangements have been handled by Pease and Gay Funeral Home of Northampton, and Crawford’s ashes will be interred at Pine Hill Cemetery in Westfield.
Crawford was familiar with the laws of aerodynamics both theoretically and practically, as he had achieved qualifications to pilot small aircraft at Barnes Airport before joining the service. His in-air career ended when he discovered that he had an inner ear condition that interfered with his ability to withstand the higher altitudes. Crawford was a quiet man, but his inner mischief maker was revealed in his buzzing of friends’ and relative’s homes with his plane.
After the war, he married his hometown sweetheart and former Marine Lance Corporal Dorothy Chandler. Together they built their first home by hand, a tiny three room Cape, on Shaker Road, where they raised their two daughters. They eventually built a larger house next door as well as a cottage in Otis. Crawford became an apprenticed electrician to Ira Rider and rounded out his education with his mentor and lifelong friend, Howard Allen. In time Crawford became a Master electrician and went into business for himself, starting as a solo residential electrician and expanding to managing larger commercial contracts with his own small crew. Crawford’s clients knew when he was fully engaged on the job whenever they would hear his remarkably melodious whistling. Later in his career, he served for a time as Westfield’s Electrical Inspector.
One of Crawford’s favorite pastimes was a good game of cards with wife Dorothy and folks from the Perez family, nephew Bill Chandler and other friends and family members. These weekly games were an institution at Crawford’s house for many years, and while fortunes and players changed over time, the camaraderie was a constant.
Crawford’s life was filled with friends and relatives who loved him and appreciated his generous spirit and neighborly ways. He frequently did free electrical jobs for those who needed something taken care of. And his massive vegetable garden yielded a whole growing season of produce for many a friend’s table. He loved his work, and he worked endlessly to keep it all going, often with his favorite work buddy, Felix Lemire, and ace troubleshooter, Marty Canty.
A true New Englander, Crawford heated his house with wood up to the time he moved to the Soldiers’ Home. He usually cut and split his own wood. To ensure an ample supply of fuel, Crawford bought eighty acres of woodland in the nearby countryside. His house was always very warm. However, Crawford wasn’t afraid to brave the cold. Every November was deer hunting season, and he went up north with his rifle, shotgun or even musket to hunt deer, and once, a bear. And then, of course, he’d share the venison.
Crawford “Cocky” leaves his longtime companion, Patricia M. Kellogg of Westfield, and two daughters, Linda Warriner of Westhampton and Patricia L. Kellogg as well as her husband Herb Brody of Newton, and grandchildren Dustin, Lincoln, and Garth Brody and Laura Gummeson. Crawford also leaves his only surviving sibling, Eunice “Bunny” Fucci of Westfield. Crawford is predeceased by his wife, Dorothy (Chandler); his parents, Warren and Evon (Arkoette) Kellogg, and a number of siblings, including Richard, Blanche “Deeder” Sams, Vernon “Benny,” Hiram “Booby,” Chester, Leon “Bud,” Gladys Noble, Eula “Doody” Twining, Edwin “Bubby,” Maida “Teko” Peck, Leonard “Eddy Do,” Susan Mulville, and Jeanette, a favorite sister who died as a young girl. Crawford also leaves many nieces and nephews, including Janet Orlandi, who lived with the family for several years, and Ted Kellogg, whom he had a special fondness for.
In lieu of a memorial service, those who knew Crawford are encouraged to share thoughts and memories of him in an online memory book available at memorialwebsites.legacy.com/kellogg. Arrangements have been handled by Pease and Gay Funeral Home of Northampton, and Crawford’s ashes will be interred at Pine Hill Cemetery in Westfield.
Donations in honor of Crawford Kellogg may be made to the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke, Treasurer’s Office, 110 Cherry Street, Holyoke, MA 01040.
