Hundreds say goodbye to David Crowley

CINCINNATI - The funeral for the late Cincinnati Vice-Mayor David Crowley was held Monday at St. Joseph Catholic Church in the West End.  On Sunday, hundreds turned out for the visitation for the man who dedicated his life to helping others.

The line outside Gilligan Funeral Home spilled into the parking lot in East Walnut Hills as hundreds braved the freezing temperatures to pay their respects to the long-time public servant.

"People looked up to David as you can see from the crowd that's here," Hamilton Co. Democratic Party Chair Tim Burke said.  "Hundreds really loved that guy."

Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory appointed Crowley as his vice mayor in 2007.  Mallory was one of the first in line.

"He would come to me at certain times and say 'Mr. Mayor, I think you ought to do this, and I think you ought to do it this way and here's why,'" Mallory said.  "He offered a lot of wisdom and a lot of compassion, and I think he was the kind of leader that the city of Cincinnati really needs."

Crowley's second child Dennis flew in from New York and was met with a comforting surprise.

"I pulled up in a cab, and the cab driver said, 'Was it someone prominent?.' And then she said, 'Wait a minute. Was this for Crowley?' I hadn't said anything," Dennis said.  "When the cab driver realized what had happen and recognized it, I have to tell you it makes it easier."

Dennis says the one thing he'll miss the most is simply talking to his dad.

Crowley died last Sunday with close family members at his bedside.  He was 73 and had been battling prostate cancer.

Crowley enjoyed a meaningful and impactful career long before entering into Cincinnati politics.  He was the first director of the Ohio Commission on Aging in the early 1970's.  He also was a lobbyist for senior citizens on Capitol Hill.  He joined the Peace Corps and coordinated volunteer efforts from 1984-1987.  Then in 1988, he continued his efforts to help around the world as he directed international relief and development projects for Catholic Relief Services in West Africa, Central and South America, Romania, Croatia, Bosnia and Kosovo

Crowley is survived by four kids, a step-child, six grandkids and his wife Sheri. 

Funeral services began at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church located on Ezzard Charles Drive in the West End.