Obituary for James "Jim" Crawford
Jim “Crow” Crawford, longtime resident of Calumet, passed away on December 20th 2022, due to a house fire.
Crow was born on January 24th, 1951 in Lindsay, Ontario, (Canada), likely with his hockey skates on, to Harold and Patricia E. Crawford. They both preceded him in death.
Crow played many years of junior hockey in Canada throughout his youth, including one year for the Petrolia Jets, (1972-73) before relocating to Calumet to play for the Copper Country Chiefs,(1973-1975) a then USHL hockey team, operating out of Calumet, Michigan, before the operation folded in 1975.
In 1975, Jim contemplated accepting a letter, inviting him to try out for the California Golden Seals (an NHL expansion team in the 70’s), when he met the love of his life (Mary Jo Lukezich) and in September of 1975, they were married in Copper Harbor, Michigan.
Crow played a few more years of Senior hockey for the Calumet Wolverines, and went on to become an assistant coach in 1981-83, for a National Championship team, the Midget A CLK Electronics, also in Calumet. Discovering his love for coaching hockey, he applied and was selected as the Head Coach of the Calumet Copper Kings High school hockey team in 1985.
Crow went on to coach the Calumet Copper Kings hockey team for 30 years, and he boasts an overall record of 533-251-21, including coaching his teams to; 10 state final appearances, 3 state runners-up, and 6 state championships.
Crow was also inducted into the Michigan High School Hockey Coaches’ Hall of Fame, the UP Sports Hall of Fame, and the Lindsay Ontario Sports Hall of Fame.
Crow worked at Rowe Moving and Storage for numerous years, and thoroughly enjoyed playing golf in the UP summers, while in the off-season of coaching hockey. He also enjoyed going up to Copper Harbor and spending time with his family at their cottage on Lake Superior.
Crow was also preceded in death by his wife, Mary Jo (Lukezich) Crawford in 2011.
Surviving are his only daughter, Betsy Crawford, of Calumet, and his two grandsons, Easton and Oakley, both also of Calumet, who if you knew Crow, were his real pride and joy. He is also survived by his brother(s), John (Janet) Crawford, of Lindsay, Ontario, Canada, Keith (Beate) Crawford, of Janetsville, Ontario, one brother-in-law, Tom Lukezich, of Gladstone, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
The Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.
Online condolences can be left for the family of ericksoncrowleypeterson.com
A memorial service will be held at a future date. Crow will be buried with his wife at Lake View Cemetery.
To assist the family in rebuilding you may go to go fundme.com/thecrawford family.
Crow was born on January 24th, 1951 in Lindsay, Ontario, (Canada), likely with his hockey skates on, to Harold and Patricia E. Crawford. They both preceded him in death.
Crow played many years of junior hockey in Canada throughout his youth, including one year for the Petrolia Jets, (1972-73) before relocating to Calumet to play for the Copper Country Chiefs,(1973-1975) a then USHL hockey team, operating out of Calumet, Michigan, before the operation folded in 1975.
In 1975, Jim contemplated accepting a letter, inviting him to try out for the California Golden Seals (an NHL expansion team in the 70’s), when he met the love of his life (Mary Jo Lukezich) and in September of 1975, they were married in Copper Harbor, Michigan.
Crow played a few more years of Senior hockey for the Calumet Wolverines, and went on to become an assistant coach in 1981-83, for a National Championship team, the Midget A CLK Electronics, also in Calumet. Discovering his love for coaching hockey, he applied and was selected as the Head Coach of the Calumet Copper Kings High school hockey team in 1985.
Crow went on to coach the Calumet Copper Kings hockey team for 30 years, and he boasts an overall record of 533-251-21, including coaching his teams to; 10 state final appearances, 3 state runners-up, and 6 state championships.
Crow was also inducted into the Michigan High School Hockey Coaches’ Hall of Fame, the UP Sports Hall of Fame, and the Lindsay Ontario Sports Hall of Fame.
Crow worked at Rowe Moving and Storage for numerous years, and thoroughly enjoyed playing golf in the UP summers, while in the off-season of coaching hockey. He also enjoyed going up to Copper Harbor and spending time with his family at their cottage on Lake Superior.
Crow was also preceded in death by his wife, Mary Jo (Lukezich) Crawford in 2011.
Surviving are his only daughter, Betsy Crawford, of Calumet, and his two grandsons, Easton and Oakley, both also of Calumet, who if you knew Crow, were his real pride and joy. He is also survived by his brother(s), John (Janet) Crawford, of Lindsay, Ontario, Canada, Keith (Beate) Crawford, of Janetsville, Ontario, one brother-in-law, Tom Lukezich, of Gladstone, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
The Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.
Online condolences can be left for the family of ericksoncrowleypeterson.com
A memorial service will be held at a future date. Crow will be buried with his wife at Lake View Cemetery.
To assist the family in rebuilding you may go to go fundme.com/thecrawford family.