IN MEMORIAM: Marcus Crapsey ’79
The Rev. Marcus T. Crapsey II, Class of 1979, died on June 8, 2022 from complications of COVID, Parkinson’s Disease and Lewy Body Dementia, age 71.
Born in New York City, Crapsey was predeceased by his parents Marcus T. Crapsey Sr and Rosemary G. Crapsey. He graduated from Rippowam High School in Stamford, Connecticut; received his B.A. in English literature from the University of Connecticut and his Master of Social Work from the University of Connecticut, before receiving his Master of Divinity from General.
His over thirty years in parish ministry included a combined position as assistant minister/counselor at St. Mark’s, Westhampton Beach, New York, vicar of St. George’s Episcopal Church, Middlebury, Connecticut and rector of Trinity Episcopal Church, Haverhill, Massachusetts. When interviewed at his retirement from Trinity he said, “The charism (gift) of ministry is real. People turn to religious leaders for support. Everything that happens in your parishioners’ lives happens in your life.” While rector of Trinity he was active in many endeavors including the Merrimack Valley Project, the Haverhill Clergy Association, and the Haverhill Civil Rights Commission. Following retirement from full time ministry he served as an interim priest at St. Mary’s, Northfield, Vermont, St. John’s, Gloucester, Massachusetts and Trinity Church, Tilton, New Hampshire; and part time assistant at Grace Church, Lawrence.
Crapsey leaves his wife Linda Crapsey, daughter Amy Sabatino, son Peter Crapsey and his wife Stephanie, grandchildren Isabella Sabatino, Kristen Chase and Peter Crapsey Jr, sisters Ana Crapsey and Malinee Crapsey, brother-in-law Paul Ericsson and his wife Deb, nephew Nicholas Smith, nieces Alison Smith, Mali Smith and Annie Beth Hirshman, grandnephew Henry Hirshman and grandnieces Annabelle Pizarro-Smith and Yasmin Rose Cerpe-Smith. Also, he is survived by many other family members and friends who love him.
Crapsey was a life-long learner. He will be remembered for his love of God, reading, music, current events, PBS and time spent with family and friends. A Celebration of Life was held on Tuesday, June 28, in Grace Episcopal Church, 29 Jackson Street, Lawrence, MA.