Aunts and Uncles

Dede's comment about marrying into the family prompted me to send what I wrote about her dad.Most of my memories of my great aunts and uncles come from Anna's parties in the 1970's. I remember the unique smell of the back "shed", empty except for storage of beer and pop. No matter the time of year it was an uncomfortable temperature. We kids used to like to play behind Anna's vanity dresser in the winter. In the summer, we played on the porch which turned our hands black. What I remember most about the grown ups was poker and laughter. Harry Callahan told jokes that made people peal with laughter. I never got the jokes. But, because I was often shy around my cousins, I would sit near my parents in the crowded, smokey kitchen and listen to the adults. This is why I was witness to one poignant memory.It was a warm summer party at Anna's when a new widower came late to the party. He seemed nervous to me and he began to cry and tried to leave the party. Next thing I knew, the Crotty sister's jumped up in unison. (Of course this woke me up from my casual day dreaming). My grandmother (Lucille) reached out to him and said, "Mike, you are part of the family, now stay". He composed himself and started to relax. I remember he turned to me and gave me a "High five". This must have begun the infatuation my cousins and I had for Mike Jackson. We always expected "high fives" after that.Something struck me as significant at the last Crotty reunion. We have all moved across the United States chasing our dreams and assuming we are just the average American from the melting pot. But, I came to realize that I too have ethinic roots. It's some kind of Irish, Catholic, blue collar, industrial, Great Lakes, beer drinking roots where families laugh and love in their unique way. (over beer that is).

The Veterans

Richard Crotty









Richard Crotty was a sergeant in Company A of the 15th Pennsylvania Regiment during the Spanish-American War. He is in the front row in the center with his arms crossed. This picture was photographed from a book that used to be in the Heritage Room at the Erie County Public Library when the library was located on Perry Square. The book disappeared some time ago. (Click on the write-up to enlarge).

Anna Crotty

If I remember correctly, Anna said that one day during the war, she decided to go up to the recruiter's to inquire about the Woman's Auxiliary Army Corps - WAAC. She came home and announced that she had joined! This raised quite a stir in the family. In early 1943 she attended Administrative School in Daytona Beach, Florida. She then was posted to Baer Field, Fort Wayne, Indiana. Later that year the WAAC was converted to Woman's Army Corps WAC. As a WAC Anna served as a Supply Clerk with the rank of corporal. She was discharged in early December, 1945.

John Crotty

Johnny was drafted into the Army in August 1941. He was in the Ninth Air Force Service Command, which serviced the fighter planes and bombers. He was stationed in England and went with the D-Day invasion into France.

The following shows a letter which was given to the troops as the D-DAY invasion began. It is from General Eisenhower. There are also two pictures which were taken following the Liberation of Paris. One is of Johnny holding a baby in the French countryside in 1944, and the other shows him as a victorious American soldier holding a tattered American flag.

Richard Crotty

All that is know about Richard's militay service is that it earned him the right to be buried in Calverton National Cemetery on Long Island in New York.

Michael Jackson

Mike was in the Army from June 25, 1942 until December 19, 1945. In 1943 he was stationed at Camp Howze, Texas. He was in the 86th infantry division, 404th field artillery battalion. The 86th was also know as the Blackhawk Division. His Military Operational Speciality (MOS) was 814 - Operations NCO. Steve Barron, who is currently an Army lieutenant wrote the following:

An operations NCO would assist in running the operations center ( a TOC, Tactical Operations Center). In my day, we have our TOC filled with digital maps with live feed showing where all the troops are in sector. Soldiers send reports to the TOC, and their Stryker vehicles send off an encrypted FM signal that transmits back to the TOC so we can see their location at all times. We project live video streams from un-manned aircraft and show this in the TOC, amongst many other digital methods. Mike Jackson would probably manage the TOC in a similar way. In his day, he probably received continuous reports over an AM radio, and compiled reports for the Commander. He would update a paper map with symbols showing the status of everything on the battlefield. He would manage all the soldiers who would be constantly monitoring reports from troops on the ground. He would have to maintain clear situational awareness at all times to brief any high ranking officer who came by at any time.

Mike kept a record of his European tour of duty. It follows (click on each page to enlarge).

After Victory in Europe (VE Day), the 86th returned to New York. After a short leave they were off to the Philippines. Dede has a copy of a map showing the return route from the Philippines, and a 'certificate' that shows he crossed the dateline on August 27, 1945. Mike came back on the USS Adm Hugh Rodman.

William Rastatter

Willie (Bill) was a Staff Sergeant in the Army, and was stationed at Frederick Army Airfield, Frederick, Oklahoma. He was a Physical Training Instructor training pilots PT, how to land after a jump, hand to hand combat, and how to protect themselves and a lot more. He also served at Randolph Field, San Antonio, TX. He was up for promotion to Sergeant Major, and the war ended.

(Click on newspaper clipping to unlarge)


Norma Crotty

Norma was a registered nurse in the Army Nurse Corp. She spent most of her service time at the 809th Army Air Force depot in Erie, and then with the VA. Later she was employed at St. Vincent's.

Below is her graduation picture from St. Alexis College in Cleveland, Ohio in 1941.

Aunt Hannah...

Aunt Hannah.....it seemed like she was a permanent fixture in Anna's living room....I remember her smoking and being cranky.....she would give me money to go to the corner store to buy her some candy bars. She would give me a quarter and I had to get her five candy bars. I would go back to Anna's and give her the candy bars....she would stick them in her pocket and never give me one. As a kid, I thought that was very mean. I guess I still think it was kind of mean!!

I have memories of her living on East 5th street in the same flat that Uncle Humphrey lived in.

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The following is by Richard -

I don't really remember too much about Aunt Hannah. She was born in 1875 and died on May 17, 1960 at the age of 85. Some time in the 1950's, Anna told her mother's sister that she could come and live with her. One thing that sticks in my mind was that Anna gave up her TV chair so that Hannah could sit there. I remember a few times Anna came over to talk with my mother because she was so upset over Aunt Hannah.

My mom related this story. She had always admired a ring with a blue stone that Aunt Hannah wore. She told Hannah that she liked the ring, and if someday she no longer wanted the ring, could she have it. She gave it to mom. It was Hannah's engagement ring, and when the engagement was broken she just kept the ring.

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This picture is of Aunt Hannah in 1952.

More random thoughts...

...Did you know that I have Grandma Crotty's wedding ring? It is a plain gold band.
...What did Aunt Hannah do for a living?
...Do you remember Aunt Hannah sitting in the chair in Anna's house....all the time?
...Was Aunt Hannah as much of a curmudgeon as I remember?
...From our great great grandfather, David Crotty (Ireland in the early 1800's) and all the descendants, there are currently only 3 male Crottys left in our branch of the family? PD did not have sons and Richard had Johnny who had Mike who has two sons (John and Tim). No pressure, boys!

Memories of Mike...

I don’t think we can fully acknowledge our growing up without also paying homage to the brave men and women that married into the Crotty Family!
These brave souls did not just marry their intended, they married the whole family. We all need to share their story.
While reading through the Cousins15 blog, I realized that one very important person (to me, anyway) was my Dad, Mike Jackson.
Memories of my Dad, a great sense of humor, a ready smile, and total love for his family. He was first and foremost a family man…and his family included all the Crottys as well as the Jacksons. There was no difference to him. Family was family.
He had nicknames for some of the cousins, and always affectionately referred to Uncle Tom as "The Barron". He would set out on Saturdays and to go "around the block". This was Mike speak for going to the Callahans and/or Anna’s for a beer (or Mozdy’s or Sophies). He could always be convinced to have just one more….
When I was a senior at St. Ben’s, we had a Dad and Grad banquet. The night before the banquet, I came home and found him sitting on the couch with 2 front teeth missing!! I was horrified…how was he going to go to the banquet? He gave me this huge gap toothed grin and said nobody would notice….he looked awful!! My mother was sitting there staring intently at theTV not saying a word and ignoring me. Finally, he started laughing and pulled out a small black candy wrapper that he had stuck to his teeth. I was saved!! He would not look awful…..we went to the banquet…I had never noticed before that my father had good table manners…….It was very evident when compared to some of my friends fathers. I was so proud. After the banquet, he and I went to the Turners. Elsie Campbell was playing the piano. We sat at the bar, Dad had a beer, and I had a pop. I was 17 and felt so grown up. I have a picture (thanks Richie) taken that night in front of Anna’s, that I will add later.
Dad always helped everyone, not expecting anything in return.
Dad was born in Avoca, Pa on March 17, 1912. Extremely proud to be 100% Irish and born on that day. His parents were Will and Annie Jackson. He was one of 5 children, all gone now. After graduating from high school, he hung around Avoca for a while. There were no jobs there, except for the coal mines. He went to New York City and lived with a distant cousin while working for Horn and Hardart (an automat). I do not know how long he stayed, but at some point decided to move on. This was in the middle to late depression, and jobs were scarce. He relocated to the thriving metropolis of Erie, PA. When he came to Erie, he lived with his cousin, John Tormey and his wife Margaret at 304 Myrtle Street. This is where the relationships get interesting.
While living there, he worked at Parker White Metal (I believe), but I don’t know for how long. When WWII began, Uncle Sam tapped him on the shoulder, and he was in the Army. At some point during this time, he met my mother. Dad’s other cousin, Leo Tormey and wife Elizabeth, lived in the other half of the duplex with Julia and Harry. To complicate this further, Elizabeth and Harry were cousins. During my Dad’s stint in the Army, he met and married Virginia and 6 year old Nancy!! Like most that have served during war time, he did not talk about it. I believe that he was infantry and served in Germany and possibly the Phillipines too.
When Dad got out of the Army, they moved into the little house at 411 East 5th St. Dad took a civil service test for the post office and was qualified for a job in Pittsburgh. They elected not to go….it was either the fact that they were expecting me (!) or they just didn’t want to leave Erie. They stayed, I was born, and the rest is history.
We moved to Eagle Point when I was 4………It was a little house, but I loved it. Dad stayed on after my mother died, but was lonely and decided to move to Houston and live with us. I think it was more a decision to be closer to his little grandson, Kevin Michael.
An important side note here, Dad and Mom were looking forward to his retirement so they could kick back and enjoy life and to spend more time with Nancy and I. Mom died before this happened. When I decided to retire at age 58, one of the 20 reasons that I retired was so that I could truly enjoy my life, my husband, my children and grandchildren. Life is too short…..grab it while you can!!
Dad brought many laughs to all of us during his life and I thank him for being the strong man that he was. I still think about him.