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Rev. Edwin J. "Ned" Crosby, O.S.A. (1910-1986)

Rev. Edwin J. "Ned" Crosby, O.S.A. entered eternal life February 26, 1986.

Edwin Joseph Crosby was born August 31, 1910 in Troy, New York to George and Sara (O'Neill) Crosby. He was Baptized September 7, 1910 at St. Augustine Catholic Church, Troy. He received the Sacrament of Confirmation May 23, 1921 in the same church.

He received his elementary education at St. Augustine Catholic School, Troy. He graduated in 1926 from Catholic Central High School, Troy. For a short time he worked as a grocery clerk. He then undertook post-graudate studies at Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, New York.

Ned was received into the Augustinian Novitiate September 8, 1927. He professed simple (temporary) vows in the Order of St. Augustine September 9, 1928 and solemn (permanent) vows September 9, 1931. He received a B.A. in Philosophy from Villanova College, Villanova, Pennsylvania, in 1932. From 1932 to 1936 he pursued theological studies at Augustinian College, Washington, D.C. He was ordained a Priest July 11, 1935.

He did further studies at Catholic University, Washington; University of California, Los Angeles, and at The Aeronautical University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.

Father Crosby was assigned in 1936 to St. Augustine High School, San Diego, California, as a Teacher. In 1940 he was transferred as a Teacher to St. Rita High School, Chicago. When the new Province or Our Mother of Good Counsel (Augustinians of the Midwest) was formed in 1941, he became affiliated to that Province.

In 1942 he was assigned to teach at St. Thomas High School, Rockford, Illinois. He returned in 1948 to teach at St. Rita High School, Chicago.

He was transferred to St. Mary Catholic Parish, Rockford, in 1957, serving as Assistant Pastor. He was presiding at the Noon Mass at St. Mary Church February 26, 1986. Just after proclaiming the Gospel, he collapsed and died in the church.

Father Crosby was a gentle and retiring man, noted for his unexpected witty sayings.

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

Memorial gifts may be made to Augustinian Guild, Tolentine Center, 20300 Governors Hwy., Olympia Fields, IL 60461-1081.