Freetown – Albert E. Crook, 83, of E. Freetown died unexpectedly at home January 28, 2004. He was husband of the late Betty L (Soule) Crook.
He was born in New Bedford son of the late James E. and Lillian (Whitaker) Crook and resided in E. Freetown most of his life. He was a member of the E. Freetown Christian Congregational Church. Mr. Crook was employed by Chace Chevrolet, Middleboro for 20 years until his retirement in 1978.
Mr. Crook was a U.S. Army Air Corps veteran of WW II having served 55 months overseas as a Fire Chief at Albrook Field in the Canal Zone, then with the 321st Combat Engineers in Hawaii and the Philippine Islands, being wounded in the Leyte Invasion for which he was awarded the Purple Heart. He attained the rank of Sergeant in both the Air Corps and Engineers. He was instrumental in obtaining the first ambulance in Freetown and served as a call fireman and ambulance driver for many years, he also served on the Board of Fire Engineers. He was a member of the Aircraft Owner & Pilot Association and a pilot with the Civil Air Patrol, Acushnet and New Bedford Squadrons in the 1950’s. He was a member of the Star in the East/Paskamansett Lodge, New Bedford, a life member of the D.A.V., Military Order Purple Heart; and the Southeast Amateur Radio Association. His amateur radio call sign was N1ALN. He was a former member of the Aleppo Temple Shriners and Scottish Rites, Valley of Southeastern Massachusetts. He had been a trolley motorman and bus driver for the former Union Street Railway Co. and treasurer of Local # 1037.
Survivors include 2 sons: Gary W. Crook and his wife Donna of Portland, ME and David E. Crook and his wife Barbara of Bella Vista, AR; 5 grandchildren: Rachel Payne of Bella Vista, AR, Matthew Crook of Plymouth, MA, Rebecca Crook of Clearwater, FL, Jennifer Auger of Chula Vista, CA and Timothy Jordan of Arlington, TN; 5 great-grandchildren: Caitlyn Payne of Bella Vista, AR, Amoreena Crook of Plymouth, MA, Gillian Jordan of Arlington, TN, Jordan Auger of Chula Vista, CA and Rebecca Auger of Chula Vista, CA; and several nieces & nephews.
He was brother of the late Frank W. and Harold C. Crook.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend:
Calling hours Friday, January 30, 2004, 2-4 & 7-9 P.M.
Funeral service Saturday, January 31, 2004 at 9:30 A.M. at the Kirby Funeral Home, 61 Tarkiln Hill Road, New Bedford
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Betty L. Crook Memorial Fund, East Freetown Christian Congregational Church, 2 Washburn Road, E. Freetown, MA 02717 or the Shriner’s Hospital, 51 Blossom Street, Boston, MA 02114.
Interment in Pine Grove Cemetery, New Bedford.
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