Obituary of Lt. T. James "Jimmy" Crotty

Beloved son
of Irish immigrants
Patrick and Helen
(McGarry) Crotty of
County Clare. Loving
brother of the late
Joseph (Margaret Duffy), Patrick
(Marian Shea), Mary (Arthur) Fenhan,
Rev. William, John (Catherine Smith)
and Teresa. Also survived by many
nieces, nephews and great-nieces and
nephews. A natural and inspirational
leader, young Jimmy played for,
managed, and coached an American
Legion Junior Baseball Team to win the
Legion’s Junior National Championship
his Senior year. Jimmy was a graduate
of South Park High School. Jimmy
carried his desire to excel to the US
Coast Guard Academy where he was
elected Senior Class President, served
as a Company Commander, and
Football Team Captain. He graduated
in 1934. After seven years of service
with the USCG, Jimmy was assigned to
the US Navy Mine Recovery Unit in
1941. He served in the Bataan
Peninsula then in Corregidor, where he
was captured upon surrender of the
Allied forces. Lt. Crotty died in a
Cabanatuan Prison Camp in July 1942.
Countless stories tell of his heroic
leadership and service to his fellow
man. He gave his “all” for his country,
his family, his church, St. Thomas
Aquinas - and beloved home. “Peace
be with you Jimmy. You brought us
peace.” A Mass of Christian Burial will
be held Saturday, November 2nd at
12:00PM at St. Thomas Aquinas
Church, 450 Abbott Road, Buffalo, NY
14220. Please assemble at church.
Interment to follow at Holy Cross
Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations
may be made to the Coast Guard
Mutual Assistance, online or sent to
1005 North Glebe Road, Suite 200
Arlington, VA 22201. Please note Lt.
Crotty on the donation.