George Richard Crew, 68, of Auburn, California died peacefully while on vacation and amongst friends at Camp Richardson in South Lake Tahoe on Sunday.
He is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 47 years, Diane Crew; his daughter Denise Crew von Held and son-in-law Uli Held; his son Jamie Crew and daughter-in-law Laina Crew; and grandsons Nathan Kelleher-Crew and Bailey Crew.
George was born and raised in the East Bay and was a 1961 graduate of Las Lomas High School in Walnut Creek. He went on to have a long-standing career in the shoe repair industry including running a multi-generational family business that included working alongside both his father and his son. He also served on the Shoe Service Institute of America Board of Directors for a number of years including a term as President.
But George's lifelong passions were his family, friends and baseball. As a long-time resident of Pollock Pines, George was an avid coach in the community. One of his greatest achievements was coaching his beloved and championed Snowline Little League Pirates and the lifelong friendships and mentoring that developed from the team. He was also was a coach for the El Dorado High School ski team where he is best remembered for making everybody laugh. He was an ardent New York Yankees fan, collector of baseball memorabilia, an expert on the Mafia and a Native American Indian aficionado. He also loved being his wife's caddy on the golf course and watching his grandsons play baseball. His family will remember how much he made them laugh.
A Celebration of his life will be held this Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Auburn Valley Golf Club, 8800 Auburn Valley Rd., Auburn. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to your favorite charity in his honor.