John Crellin's obituary
December 3, 2023
CHATHAM — John R. Crellin, 75, died peacefully at the Hebrew Home in
Riverdale, N.Y., on Nov. 25, 2023, of complications from Alzheimer's
disease.
John was born on May 24, 1948, in Pittsfield, Mass., the son of Jack and Cate (Summerfield) Crellin. He spent his childhood in Spencertown, N.Y., and on Queechy Lake in Canaan, N.Y. He attended the Spencertown Academy, followed by Chatham High School. He earned a history degree from Colgate University (class of 1970) and an architecture degree from Pratt Institute.
John practiced architecture with a number of firms in New York City, including Kohn Pederson Fox, Hardy Holtzman Pfeiffer Associates, Agrest & Gandelsonas, Costas Kondylis, Stephen Lepp Associates and Kapell and Kostow. Among his many projects, he contributed to the design of the Melrose Community Center in the Bronx and the renovations of the Plaza Hotel and the Brooklyn Tabernacle.
John was a longtime resident of the East Village in New York City. He was on the board of the Howl Festival and enjoyed the local community and culture.
Equal parts architect and artist, John was a lifelong creator and inventor. He loved building homemade double-decker motorized rafts ("Queechy Queens"), photographing “memories of old buildings” and cracked pavers, and creating shrines and 3D photographs
He was an intrepid traveler who loved fine dining in France as well as exploring ruins in Guatemala and Mexico and churches in Rome.
In addition to his wife, Wendy, he is survived by his daughters, Madeleine Hoog-Crellin of Canaan, Juliette Crellin of Pittsburgh and Lillian Crellin of New York City; his twin sister, Mary Crellin of Chatham; and his granddaughters, Josephine and Caroline Crawford of Canaan.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sister Cathy Crellin.
A memorial service was held at Chatham Rural Cemetery on Monday, Nov. 27. Arrangements are under the care of the French, Gifford, Preiter & Blasl Funeral Home.
A full obituary can be found online at www.forevermissed.com/john-crellin; please share tributes and photos there.
Memorial donations may be sent to the Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC) at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai at www.giving.mountsinai.org.
John was born on May 24, 1948, in Pittsfield, Mass., the son of Jack and Cate (Summerfield) Crellin. He spent his childhood in Spencertown, N.Y., and on Queechy Lake in Canaan, N.Y. He attended the Spencertown Academy, followed by Chatham High School. He earned a history degree from Colgate University (class of 1970) and an architecture degree from Pratt Institute.
John practiced architecture with a number of firms in New York City, including Kohn Pederson Fox, Hardy Holtzman Pfeiffer Associates, Agrest & Gandelsonas, Costas Kondylis, Stephen Lepp Associates and Kapell and Kostow. Among his many projects, he contributed to the design of the Melrose Community Center in the Bronx and the renovations of the Plaza Hotel and the Brooklyn Tabernacle.
John was a longtime resident of the East Village in New York City. He was on the board of the Howl Festival and enjoyed the local community and culture.
Equal parts architect and artist, John was a lifelong creator and inventor. He loved building homemade double-decker motorized rafts ("Queechy Queens"), photographing “memories of old buildings” and cracked pavers, and creating shrines and 3D photographs
He was an intrepid traveler who loved fine dining in France as well as exploring ruins in Guatemala and Mexico and churches in Rome.
In addition to his wife, Wendy, he is survived by his daughters, Madeleine Hoog-Crellin of Canaan, Juliette Crellin of Pittsburgh and Lillian Crellin of New York City; his twin sister, Mary Crellin of Chatham; and his granddaughters, Josephine and Caroline Crawford of Canaan.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sister Cathy Crellin.
A memorial service was held at Chatham Rural Cemetery on Monday, Nov. 27. Arrangements are under the care of the French, Gifford, Preiter & Blasl Funeral Home.
A full obituary can be found online at www.forevermissed.com/john-crellin; please share tributes and photos there.
Memorial donations may be sent to the Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC) at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai at www.giving.mountsinai.org.