Bill Crosbie, 89, Descendent of the Mayflower, Longtime Tarrytown Justice

The following comes from Coffey Funeral Home:

William Rowley Crosbie, age 89, passed away on Oct. 21, 2013, in the Tarrytown village he called home for 58 years. Bill was a member of the "greatest generation;" he always sought to achieve and contribute to others. Quick witted and with a keen sense of humor, Bill offered wisdom in large measures to family, friends, and colleagues.

A descendent of the Mayflower, Bill was born on January 27, 1924 to William G. and Edith Rowley Crosbie, and raised in Cuba before moving to Southbridge, MA; he was also a summer resident of Martha's Vineyard.  Bill was a student at Suffield Academy and then attended Princeton University, where he majored in modern languages. His education was "war interrupted," so he graduated with Princeton Class of 1945. During World War II, he enlisted in the army as a demolition expert, fought in the European theater, and was later promoted to captain.  After the war, Bill went on to attain a MBA from NYU and then a JD from NY Law School, where he was editor of the Law Review. He was admitted to both NY State and Federal bars. 

Fluent in Spanish, Bill initiated new business ventures at Cuban-American Sugar Company and Union Carbide Corporation.  Progressing to Vice President within Manufacturer’s Hanover, now JP Morgan Chase, Bill led corporate market development.  

Bill exhibited a strong commitment to serving his community in the following ways: past president and director of United Way of the Tarrytowns & Pocantico Hills, past president of the Sleepy Hollow PTA, former trustee at Phelps Memorial Hospital, past director of Taconic Girl Scouts Council, former trustee of Westchester Community College, and former Advisory Board Member of Pace University School of Law.  Bill was also a member of the Reformed Church of the Tarrytowns and Tarrytown Hope Hose Fire Department.

Elected to serve his village and county, first as Tarrytown Village Trustee, Westchester County Legislator, and later as Tarrytown Village Justice for 17 years, Bill also progressed in the NY Guard Reserve to Brigadier General.

A strong naturalist and environmentalist, Bill was a member of the Audubon Society, Sierra Club, and many other charitable organizations. 

Bill is predeceased by his loving wife, Mary Ann Hazelton, and his two brothers, John and Ronald Crosbie.  He is survived by his six daughters: Susan Montero (Gus), Tarrytown; Sarah DiPillo, Ossining; Heather Rapaport (Carlos), Pinecrest, FL; Holly Crosbie-Foote, Croton-on-Hudson; Lauren Crosbie (Jack Ryan), Oak Bluffs, MA; Lucy Crosbie, New City, and fifteen grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, all of whom will miss him dearly.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be contributed in William R. Crosbie's name to SPCA of Westchester County; Briarcliff Manor or Hi Tor Animal Shelter; Pomona.

Visitation will be at Coffey Funeral Home on Thursday from 2-4 & 7-9 PM. Funeral Services will be on Friday at the Reformed Church of Tarrytown at 11:30 AM with interment to follow in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery.