Michael John Crowley, a retired Cosumnes River College teacher and union leader, died March 18 of cancer, his family said. He was 73.
Mr. Crowley spent 31 years at Cosumnes River College, starting as an English teacher when the campus opened in 1970. He helped launch the photography department and also taught sailing, history and religious studies classes. He served as president of the Los Rios College Federation of Teachers.
He was recognized with the Cosumnes River College 25th Anniversary Award for Innovation, Leadership and Service. In 2002, he received the Ben Rust Award from the California Federation of Teachers.
Mr. Crowley volunteered at the South Sacramento Interfaith Food Bank and at Loaves & Fishes. He was ordained a deacon by the Catholic Diocese of Sacramento in 1996 and served for 15 years at St. Anthony's Parish in Sacramento.
He hosted foreign exchange students and cared for foster children with his wife of 58 years, Hazel "Sissy" Crowley. They had five children and adopted four foster children.
Mr. Crowley was born in 1938 in Portland, Ore. He joined the ROTC at Gonzaga University and served in the Army as a lieutenant. He began teaching English at Rio Linda High School in Sacramento and earned a master's degree in reading at Sacramento State.
He was a Sacramento resident and an avid cyclist who pedaled with his wife throughout the United States and Europe.
Besides his wife, survivors include his sons, Daniel of Salinas, Stephen of Sacramento and Abe Adams Sr. of Perry, Mo.; daughters, Robin Orner of Temecula, Kathleen Castillo of Sacramento, Barbara Peyton of Elk Grove, Connie Stoneking of Sacramento, Bonnie Fleming of Concordia, Mo., and Sara Crago of Foresthill; brother, James of St. Maries, Idaho; sister, Mary Beth Broderick of Lake Oswego, Ore.; and nine grandchildren.
A funeral was held Monday. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Mr. Crowley may be made to Loaves & Fishes, 1321 North C St., Sacramento, CA 95811, www.sacloaves.org.
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