Kenneth Rober Crosby

Kenneth Robert Crosby January 9, 1931-November 25, 2008 After fighting a courageous battle with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Kenneth Robert Crosby of Schenectady, New York, died peacefully on November 25, 2008, surrounded by his children and grandchildren.Ken was born on January 9, 1931, in Ellis Hospital, Schenectady, New York, to Kenneth Nathan Crosby and Mary Frances (Fran) Crosby (nee Comeau). He is survived by his four children from his marriage of twenty seven years, which ended in divorce: Deborah Susan Crosby, Kenneth Nathan Crosby and his wife Nancy Ellett-Crosby, Rodney Scott Crosby and his wife Karen Crosby, Lisa Marie (Crosby) Metzger and her husband Ronald Paul Metzger, and his nine grandchildren Maris Elizabeth Durland, Rachel Meredith Durland, Allison Hope Crosby, Tessa Nin Crosby, Katherine Suzanne Crosby, Kenneth Scott Crosby, Alexandra Megan Crosby, Bryan Paul Metzger, and Sarah Marie Metzger. Ken graduated as a letterman from Mont Pleasant High School, and was one of the first to be honored as a Schenectady All-Sport student. He and his father opened Crosby's Garage on Brandywine Avenue in 1952, the year his daughter Deb was born. Ken and his father could fix virtually any car, and ran a successful business for forty years. Both of Ken's sons (Ken and Rod) also worked at the shop, so at times three generations of Crosby men worked together. Ken served in the Air National Guard from 1953-1959 and was activated to serve in the Air Force as a Technical Sergeant from 1961-1962. He also played the bagpipes with the Guard. Ken was well known as one of the first Scuba divers in the area. He taught Scuba diving at the Schenectady YMCA for more than two decades and was honored for distinguished service in 1972. He also was a member of the Civil Defense Rescue Diving Unit and other diving rescue and recovery units, and he organized underwater clean-up dives at Lake George as early as the late 1950s. With the wonderful and caring support of Community Hospice Care, Ken spent his last days home being cared for by his daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Ron. His children, their spouses and grandchildren were with him always. In deference to his one of his final wishes, the family will continue to urge everyone to please stop smoking. Our father, Ken Crosby, cared deeply about nature and the world around him, and loved his family. Our Dad will be sorely missed. A visitation will be held on Friday afternoon November 28th at Bond Funeral Home, Broadway & Guilderland Ave., Schenectady, NY from 1 to 3 pm. A service at the funeral home will follow the visitation at 3pm. Interment in Most Holy Redeemer with military honors will be at a later date. Contributions may be made to Community Hospice, Schenectady, Veteran's Administrations Services or a charity of your choice.