Richard J. Crowe 1946-2025
PLYMOUTH, Devon, England — Richard J. Crowe, formerly of Youngstown, passed away Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, at Derriford Hospital, from complications of Parkinson’s disease. He was 79.
Rich was born July 10, 1946, to George F. Crowe and Katherine Sabatine Crowe. Growing up on the North Side of Youngstown, he attended St. Edward’s School and was a 1964 graduate of Ursuline High School.
He moved West and attended City College of San Francisco and San Francisco State University before enlisting in the United States Air Force.
After basic training at Lackland AFB in Texas, he shipped out to Bentwaters Airbase in Suffolk, England. While visiting nearby Ipswich, he met Diane Smith. They married on May 30, 1970.
Following Rich’s honorable discharge in 1971, he and Diane visited the states to see family and with thoughts of setting down roots, but eventually returned to Ipswich, where Rich was hired by the National Health Service as a business analyst.
They lived for a time in Hull, when in 1982 they welcomed the arrival of their only child, a daughter, Georgia. In 1986, they relocated to Plymouth.
Rich was a lifelong reader and always kept abreast of current events, both in his adopted country and here in the states. A man of strong opinions, he was always ready to engage in thoughtful political discourse.
He had strong interest in the American Civil War and returned several times to visit various battle sites. He and his friend, Martin Cusack, gathered information, took photos and returned to stage detailed presentations at the Swarthmore Adult Learning Center in Leeds, England.
In recent years, Rich enjoyed trips back to the Youngstown area for class reunions and to reconnect with old friends. He kept up with Cleveland sports and was always up for an Indians game.
He is survived by his wife, Diane; his daughter, Georgia, and her companion, Matt; brothers, J. Kevin Crowe (late wife, Peggy), of Atlanta, Georgia, Chris Crowe and his wife, Sue, of Canfield; a nephew, Ryan Crowe and his wife, Liz; and niece, Caroline Crowe, all of Atlanta, Georgia; niece, Kaitlin Keller and her husband, Jake; niece, Karen Leigh Crowe; and great-niece, Lucy Jo Keller, all of Austintown; and several cousins from the Crowe, Sabatine and Rabel families.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Peter Crowe, who passed away in 2017.
Rich was an organ donor.
Services were held in Plymouth.
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