Legends of Auburn - Teresa & John Crawford
The Crawford Family Reunion celebrated in all its glory on July 22, 2023, at the beautiful home of Sarah and Kevin Goode in Skaneateles NY. Over 100 cousins gathered to honor John and Teresa Crawford and their children: Margaret, Helen, Nancy, Donald, and Joan. Folks traveled from up and down the East Coast, all over New York State, and as far West as Chicago, Arizona, and Oregon.
The day began at St. Joseph Cemetery, the resting site of John and Teresa. Prayers were led by John, Mary, and Cathy Crawford. Later that afternoon the crowd gathered at Goodes spacious backyard. “The Gate Keeper” beer from Prison City was on tap in the Goode Party Barn. Gourmet pizzas were prepared and served by “Toss & Fire” food truck, sing-alongs and dancing were enjoyed on the outdoor dance floor with music led by Michael Ranalli. It was a full day of eating and drinking, hugs, laughter, love, and remembrance!
The biggest “hoot” of this Crawford day was the required picture-taking! Photographer, Carol DiSalvo did an amazing job capturing three generations of Crawfords: T-Shirt White Team: 1st Cousins, T-Shirt Green Team: 2nd Cousins, T-Shirt Yellow Team: 3rd Cousins
John Crawford and Teresa McDonald were married on June 25, 1915. They lived on Augustus Street in Auburn NY. John was employed as the “gatekeeper” at Auburn Prison and Teresa was a homemaker and talented seamstress. They had six children: Margaret, Helen, Nancy, John (1921-1923), Donald and Joan.
Margaret Crawford Oberright, Marg, filled many roles as the oldest of the Crawford siblings – big sister, confidant, and helper. After high school she attended Auburn Collegiate Center where she met a young chemistry teacher, Ed Oberright. There was “chemistry”. They married in 1937 and shortly after moved to Woodbury NJ where Ed was hired to work for Socony Mobile Research. They were blessed with two children, Mary Teresa (Terry) and John. Like her mother, Marg was a loving homemaker, skilled seamstress and committed volunteer. The Oberright family regularly traveled to Auburn and summers were often spent at Owasco Lake.
Helen Crawford Checco, after graduating from high school, attended Auburn’s Collegiate Center. She was employed at The Big Store where she was introduced to Robert (Bob) Checco by a coworker, Bob’s mother! They married in 1944 in NYC and went on to have four daughters: Margaret, Mary, Amy, and Sarah. Bob was employed at The Hunting Company on Osborne Street. Helen went on to establish a successful estate liquidation business with a cult-like following.
Nancy Crawford Katz, proud daughter of Auburn, moved to Atlantic City, NJ in the early 1940s after living close to her sister, Margaret, and brother-in-law, Ed, in the South Jersey area. She was transferred there for work at a local appliance store where she met Sam Katz, a company customer. Nancy and Sam were married in Virginia in 1951 – they eloped – and had two children, Ruth and David. Nancy was active in several charitable organizations, including the Miss America Pageant, where she served as hostess to the winner of the 1975 contest!
Donald Crawford, life-long resident of Auburn, served in the Air Force (during WWII). After returning to Auburn, he married the love of his life Marjorie Hoffman in 1947. They raised their six children (Cathy, Margaret, Christine, Stephen, John & Mary) on Owasco Lake. Don was the head coach of Pop Warner football for many years and had a successful career in the transportation industry.
Joan Crawford Ringwood graduated from East High School in 1948. She went on to LeMoyne College and graduated with a degree in Social Work. Joan married her high school sweetheart, Paul Ringwood in 1951, and together they raised ten children: Nancy, Mike, Patty, Tom, Jack, Teresa, Paul, David, Peter, and Bob in Auburn NY. Paul was the Vice-President of Sales at Red Star Express Lines and Joan enjoyed a career at the Auburn Nursing Home.
Cheers to John and Teresa Crawford – True Legends of Auburn NY Thank you for Margaret, Helen, Nancy, Don, and Joan
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