Joe “Stan” Crawford, 87, passed away peacefully on February 26, with his family at his side. Joe was an avid outdoorsman, spending many weekends on the water, ice fishing or trout fishing. His family ate a lot of perch and walleye over the years. He loved Oneida and Skaneateles Lakes almost as much as his home in Fremont.  He fished multiple streams but was fond of Fish Creek and Limestone. He loved fishing almost as much as his family. His family learned to love the outdoors, with years of camping trips in the Adirondacks. His sons have followed in his footsteps, spending lots of time on the ice.

      Joe was a veteran of the Korean War, serving at the Panama Canal.  Joe was a union steamfitter and was a member of Local 81 in Syracuse for over 60 years, and retired from the Syracuse City Schools in 1997. He was active at St. Matthews Church and was a member of the Limekiln Rod and Gun Club.

      Joe is predeceased by his wife and best friend of 54 years, Suzanne (Verrette), and his sons-in-law Ron Linhart and Greg Hayner, sister Patricia Shepard. He is survived by his brother John, of Texas and  by his children: Sheila Linhart (Ron), Kevin Crawford (Georgette), Amy Walters (George), Kristen Marciniak (Chris), and Michael (Margaret) Crawford; and his grandchildren: Joe Crawford, Katie Sulek, Ryan Linhart, Jake Crawford, Kelley Lynch and their spouses; Jack and Ethan Hayner, Christopher Marciniak,  Rachel, Sage, and Riley Crawford, and Brooke Walters, and ten great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his companion, Freda LaPlante.

      Joe loved a good joke, and made his friends and family laugh all the time. He loved to spend time with them, at their homes, in the Adirondacks, or on the stream. He was always available to help a friend or neighbor, and loved having a beer with you.

   Calling hours will be Thursday, March 3 from 4 to 7 pm at the Eaton-Tubbs Fayetteville Chapel, 7191 E. Genesee St., Fayetteville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday at 10 am at St. Matthews Church, East Syracuse. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, DeWitt.

     Donations in Joe’s honor can be made to the Syracuse VA Hospital, 800 Irving Ave Syracuse, NY  13210