1917-1979 (March 19)

Francis Paul Crawford was born on May 10, 1917, in Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania, to Robert Crawford and Mary Strantzk. He was baptized there on May 20, 1917, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. He received his elementary and high school education at Our Lady of Mount Carmel School. He entered Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, New York in 1936, and was received into Our Mother of Good Counsel Novitiate on September 9, 1937. Francis professed simple vows on September 10, 1938, and solemn vows on September 10, 1941. He earned a B.A. in Philosophy from Villanova College, Villanova, Pennsylvania, in 1941, and pursued theological studies from 1941 to 1945 at Augustinian College, Washington, D.C.  Francis was ordained to the priesthoo on May 18, 1944. He earned an M.A. in Sociology from The Catholic University of America, Washington, in 1945, and was awarded a degree of Specialist in Education by DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois, in 1958.  

Father Crawford was assigned to Saint Rita High School, Chicago, in 1945. There he served at times as teacher, Dean of Discipline, Athletic Director, Director of Studies and Principal until 1968, except for the year 1961-1962, when he was Director of Studies at Mendel Catholic High School, Chicago. From 1968 to 1971, he served as Principal of Mendel Catholic High School.

Father Crawford was assigned to Saint Clare of Montefalco Parish, Chicago, in 1971 as assistant pastor and prior. During his stay at Saint Clare, he developed heart trouble, and was assigned in 1978 to Saint Rita Parish, Chicago, in semi-retirement. He died suddenly on March 19, 1979.

Father Crawford was widely known for initiating, promoting and coaching Golden Gloves Boxing at St. Rita High School.

He is buried in the Augustinian plot at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Alsip, Illinois.