Obituary of Ivan James Crawford

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Ivan James Crawford, age 75 of Maces Bay, NB, who passed away peacefully on December 10, 2024 at Rocmaura Nursing Home after a lengthy and courageous battle with vascular dementia.

Ivan was born on October 8, 1949, in Saint John, NB, the son of the late Harold and Helen (Bright) Crawford. He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Maxine (Janes), son, Corey and daughter, Amanda Jane. He was a beloved brother to Frank, Wanda Turner, Richard, Everett (Kim), Wendell and Shirley Fraser (Chris). He was also a special brother-in-law to Wayne and Bruce (Julie) Janes. He will be sadly missed by several cousins, nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Ivan was predeceased by sister-in-laws Marilyn Crawford, Betty Janes and brother-in-law Eddy Turner. 

Ivan was initiated into the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Local 73 in August 1975. He was well respected in the trades community and was employed with Babcock & Wilcox before his retirement in 2007. He took great pride in every job including his first with D’Arcy Welding Co Limited and later E.S. Stephenson & Co Limited. He was one of few to receive the Gold Cap Award for safe work practices while working at the Saint John Shipbuilding & Dry Dock in 1969. He made lasting friendships and lifelong memories while putting his skills to use during the construction of NB Power’s Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station and various jobs at Coleson Cove, Irving Pulp & Paper and the Belledune Generating Station. 

Ivan was extremely active and enjoyed a wide variety of activities. He spent many summers in the early years at Pleasant Lake where hours were spent boating and teaching friends and family to waterski. Eventually Ivan chose a seasonal lot at Keene’s Lake where he honed his golf and horseshoe pitching skills, something he would later demonstrate as his divisional winner of the World Horseshoe Championships held in Saint John, NB. In later years, he enjoyed spending weekends at his McDougall Lake camp, fishing, playing washer toss, cards and hunting in the great outdoors. He was naturally athletic and played various sports over the years including hockey, baseball and curling from both Thistle and Carleton Curling Clubs. Ivan was a devoted fan of the Boston Bruins and had an impressive collection of ball caps. He enjoyed time spent traveling south with friends, but above all, he loved spending time with his devoted wife. 

The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to the staff of Garden and Terrace Court at Rocmaura Nursing Home. Their kindness, care and support over the past 4 years have been a comfort to the family.

Arrangements are under the care of Castle Fallsview Funeral Home (309 Lancaster Ave, Saint John, NB E2M 2L3 506-634-1701). Visitation will be held on Saturday, December 14, 2024, from 6:00PM – 8:00PM and Sunday, December 15, 2024, from 2:00PM – 4:00PM and 6:00PM – 8:00PM. A graveside service will take place on Monday, December 16, at 1:00PM at the Maces Bay Cemetery in Dipper Harbour, NB followed by a reception at the Fundy Bay Senior Citizens Club (421 Maces Bay Road, Maces Bay, NB E5J 1T1). In lieu of flowers, donations in Ivan’s memory can be made to Rocmaura Palliative Care, the Alzheimer’s Society or a charity of the donor’s choice.