Artist Harold F. Crowley, 90, of Pembroke Street, passed away peacefully on January 24, 2022, surrounded by his family.

He is survived by his loving wife Donna and their five children: Dante, Myles, Neil, Deirdre and Owen; their spouses and partners; five grandchildren; one great-grandchild; Harold's three brothers; many relatives and friends including a group called the Book-Skis that formed years ago out of the Bancroft Ungraded, K-8 Boston Public School on Appleton Street.

Harold moved to the South End in 1956 and rented live-in studio spaces at Castle Square, Columbus Avenue and Washington Street, only the Columbus Avenue building remains standing. In 1965, he and Donna bought their home, a former single-room-occupancy (SRO) lodging house licensed as the Plaza Hotel. They fought the Veterans Administration to obtain their mortgage, possibly because of redlining and urban renewal plans. They participated in many neighborhood groups including the Pembroke Street tree planting; the annual Pilot Block block parties; the Committee for a South End High School; the Committee to Save the Bancroft School; and the South End Seniors. As a prolific reader, Harold was a regular patron of the South End Library.

Originally from Milton, Mass., Harold received a BFA from the Massachusetts School of Arts in 1953 and a diploma in 1956 from the Boston Museum School where he also did graduate studies in painting. Between 1953 and 1955, he served in the U.S. Army in Seoul, Korea as a Draftsman/Illustrator. His first job after the service was as an advertising artist for the old Raymond's Department Store in downtown Boston. From 1958 to 1992, Harold worked as Artist-Photographer for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Harold's art adorned many State publications including the Drivers' License Manual used for many years. He also held a part-time job for several years at Union Park Liquors.

In retirement, Harold enjoyed more time to paint and draw and exhibit his art at the South End Library and during Open Studios weekends. A large one-day retrospective exhibit was produced by his family in 2001 at the Jorge Hernandez Center.

Harold expressed no regrets about his life and he fought to the end to return his cherished home. He left this world with the care, love and prayers of so many, for which his family will be forever grateful.

Donations in Harold's name may be made to the Mass Art Foundation: https://massart.edu/massart-foundation 621 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115