Beloved Constable Passes On
As reported in the Pike County Courier
John J. Crerand
of Milford, Pa., passed away in the Hackensack University Medical Center, N.J.,
on Oct. 3, 2018, after a bone marrow condition advanced to leukemia. He was 72.
He was born in York County, Pa., son of the late John
W. Crerand, World War II Marine veteran, and late Virginia L. (Becker) Crerand
Fitzkee, and step-son to the late Donald E. Fitzkee, Korean War Army veteran.
John is survived by his wife, Teresa, also of
Milford; daughter, Michele Crerand (Aaron); son, John Crerand (Mindy); adopted
daughter, Clara Kuhns (Dennis); brother, Thomas Crerand (Denise); sister,
Virginia Wood (G. Michael); and nieces, nephews, and grandchildren.
Honesty, integrity, and fairness with others were his
core values. He proudly served our country in the Army during two tours in
Vietnam from 1965 to 1968, with an honorable discharge as Sergeant E-5. True to
his nature in caring for people, he sponsored two orphan children while serving
in Vietnam.
In York County, John was a member of Lions Club
International and volunteer firefighter. He was honored to be elected in Dingman
Township and serve as a State Constable after retiring from the Department of
Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons as an Associate Warden.
He continued a lifetime of community mindedness as a
volunteer for the Hunters Sharing the Harvest program to deliver venison donated
by hunters to Pennsylvania food banks, and the Pennsylvania Game Commission at
the Shohola Bear Check Station. He also provided security for the Detweiler
family at the Malibu Dude Ranch rodeos. He often went above and beyond to help
community members, even buying a meal at times for someone in need.
Having extensive knowledge of wildlife, he enjoyed
wildlife woodcarving, including bears, birds, and ducks with his masterpiece
being a life-sized bald eagle on a beaver stump. While on a New England states
camping vacation years ago, he was carving a small duck at a campsite in Vermont
when a little boy showed up to watch. John gave him the carving and only minutes
later, more kids showed up. Even though his fingers were sore, John made sure
each kid left with a carving of their own.
He had a unique ability to inspire laughter by telling
stories of life experiences over the years. Later, he became a story teller and
author writing a children’s book about a young river otter interacting with
other wildlife in his environment.
John’s wish was to be remembered as he was. Honoring
his request, there was no funeral or memorial service. Cremation took place at
the Stroyan Funeral Home, 405 W. Harford St., Milford].
In the spirit of John’s giving nature, anyone wishing
to honor him with a memorial may make a donation to the American Cancer Society
(cancer.org), donate blood at a Red Cross blood drive (redcross.org), or support
Hunters Sharing the Harvest (sharedeer.org).
The family is most appreciative to those who donated
blood during a special blood drive held for John on Jan. 12, 2018, since his
condition required multiple blood and platelet transfusions, as well as all the
medical professionals and hospital staff who gave excellent care.