William (Bill) Crowhurst

At the age of 81, William (Bill) Robert Laird Crowhurst passed away on Saturday, October 5, 2024. Bill was born on November 7, 1942. He is pre-deceased by his parents Sydney Laird (Laddie) Crowhurst and Frances Jean (Jean) Crowhurst (nee Smyth) of Sunny Brae, NB.

Bill is survived by his wife of 58 years, Carol Crowhurst (nee Frawsel); three children, Cindy Crowhurst, Sheri Saunders (Todd) and Peter Crowhurst (Tonya); five grandchildren, Sydney Saunders (Levi), Scott Saunders (Natasha), Drew Kinney (Kristina), Noah Kinney, and Spencer Crowhurst; one great grandchild, Vincent Kinney, and extended family.

In 1966, Bill and Carol moved to Florenceville where they raised their family and enjoyed fulfilling teaching careers. Bill will be remembered for his years of service to his community as a teacher at Florenceville Regional High School, as Principal of Florenceville Elementary School for over 25 years and as the Mayor of the Village of Florenceville from 1978 to 1983.

Music was a big part of Bill’s life, starting early as a student of Maude Burbank, playing the baritone and trombone in the Moncton City Band. He enjoyed sharing his love of music with his grandchildren since his children did NOT inherit the music gene! Bill performed trombone and piano duets with Sydney in many annual Music Festivals; or as part of the; "Generation Gap" & band with Sydney, Scott, Drew, and Noah. He was also a member of the Perth-Andover Community Band performing in parades and Remembrance Day services in New Brunswick and Maine.

In his teens, Bill and his parents found a little slice of heaven in Kent County on the Richibucto River. This became known as "The Cottage" or "Thorneapple Point". Over the decades, the extended Crowhurst family and friends spent much of each summer there. This is where Bill and Carol decided to spend their retirement years enjoying boating and gardening, including the famous beds of red rhubarb and gladiola flowers which were shared with friends. Bill continued with music after retirement by playing in the Remembrance Day service at the Harcourt Legion for many years and playing Happy Birthday on his front deck to his wonderful friends and neighbours across the river, Mike and Shelley Wellman.

The family would like to thank the staff at Stella-Maris-de-Kent Hospital in Sainte-Anne-de-Kent, NB for their wonderful care of both Bill and Carol during these past several months.

Respecting Bill’s wishes there will be no visitation. A private service will be held at the family plot of the Elmwood Cemetery in Moncton at a later date. Memorial donations to Sistema NB to help fund music programs which enhance the lives of children, or to a charity of the donor’s choice, would be appreciated.

Arrangements are in the professional care of Thompson’s Funeral Home in Richibucto (506) 523-4252.