Obituary of James L. Crowley

James L. Crowley Sherrill-James L. Crowley, age 95, a longtime Sherrill resident passed away peacefully Tuesday afternoon, February 14, 2017 in the Oneida Healthcare Extended Care Facility. He was born in Amity, Oregon, on April 10, 1921 to Wendell H. and Mary E. (Wolgamott) Crowley. Jim had 3 siblings. His older sister, Mary Jane, an older brother, Hobert, and a younger sister Betty Crowley Boynton, all predeceased Jim. Jim completed 12 years of schooling in the Portland area, and attended Oregon State College. Jim and Zillah Mae (Ketel) Crowley met while working at Butterfield Brothers, a wholesale jewelry company in Portland, Oregon. On March 7, 1942, they were married, and had five children over the next 13 years. Their children are James M. married to Mary Kay MacDonald, Robert M. married to Jeanne Takala, Barbara A. married to Martin Green, Thomas M. married to Carla Clawson, and William M. married to Karen Rafte. They have 17 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great granddaughters. Zillah predeceased Jim on October 2, 1990. Jim enlisted in the Naval Reserve in July 1942, and was on active duty in the Merchant Marine for over 3 years. During this time he went to Officer Training School and graduated second in his class of 100. Jim sailed aboard tankers and ammunition ships, and delivered aircraft fuel and munitions to war ships and island invasions throughout the Pacific. He was discharged as an Ensign in the USMS in Nov. 1945. In June 1947 he joined Oneida Ltd. where he ran the Hollowware Road Show traveling by train to all major cities around the U.S. while living in Portland, OR. In 1949 he moved with his family to Palo Alto, CA, as a salesman. In 1955, the family moved to Altadena, in Southern California. While there Jim opened and managed the Los Angeles Office and Warehouse, and continued as a salesman. He also became active in St. Vincent de Paul. In 1968 Jim moved with his family to Dallas, TX, where he became Regional Manager. In 1970 he was transferred to Oneida, NY, when he became the National Sales Manager of sterling, silver plate, and Heirloom stainless until his retirement in Feb. 1984. After retiring from Oneida Ltd., Jim and Zillah formed JandZ Corp. (Mid-York Engravature) until 2005, when it was sold. Jim was a member of the Board of Managers of the Oneida City Hospital for nine years. He was active in the Oneida Healthcare Foundation, starting the Orchard Hill Club in 1997. He was also Treasurer of the Oneida Healthcare Corporation for more than 10 years, and was one of the two first recipients of the Oneida Healthcare Foundation "Golden to the Core" Award in 2011. Jim has continued as an active member of St. Helena Catholic Church in Sherrill, NY since 1970. He will be buried next to his wife, Zillah, at St. Helena Cemetery, Middle Road, Oneida, NY. James was married to Bette A. Conde on January 23, 1993, enjoying their senior years by traveling and going on cruises. Together they visited Australia, New Zealand, Alaska twice, the Panama Canal, and touring the U.S. National Parks. Winters were spent at their Arizona home enjoying the mild weather. Bette predeceased Jim on Oct. 17, 2008. Family and friends are invited to call on Friday, February 24, 2017 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Malecki Funeral Home, 464 Sherrill Rd., Sherrill, NY. James funeral service will be held Saturday February 25, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Helena's Church, Primo Ave., Sherrill. Burial will be in St. Helena's Cemetery, Oneida, NY. In memory of James donations may be sent to St. Helena's Church or the Orchard Hill Club. Online condolences may be sent to maleckifuneralhome.com