Thomas M. Crowley, 77, of Burlington, who served the state as a senator, assistant judge and in the Vermont Air National Guard, died peacefully Saturday.
Crowley’s legacy is shaped by his public service and his personal, yet open, struggle with alcoholism, said Sen. Dick Sears, D-Bennington.
Sears said Crowley gave him a bit of lasting advice: Your enemy today is your friend tomorrow. This meant that legislators on opposite sides of an issue one day would eventually become allies on another.
Keeping good relationships with fellow senators, Sears said, is a critical skill to have in the Vermont Senate.
Sears, who is chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said he would often see Crowley when he was an assistant judge because he would stop by the Senate. Sears was elected in 1992 to the state Senate, two years after Crowley lost in a Chittenden County Democratic primary after serving 24 years.
Crowley’s addiction to alcohol was no secret, his former colleagues said. After openly attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, Crowley helped others on their path to sobriety.
His successful recovery set a model for others who had similar problems, Sears said. Crowley’s humility is the key to his legacy, Sears said.
Crowley’s open struggle with alcoholism and his successful path to recovery before the eyes of the public made what Gov. Peter Shumlin called a “true public servant.”
“I also admired him for his bravery in publicly discussing his battle with alcohol, a story of successful recovery that inspired others to fight their own addictions,” Shumlin said in a statement. “That made Tom Crowley a true public servant. He will be greatly missed.”
In 1966, Crowley was elected to the Senate to serve Chittenden County; he later became dean of the Senate. In 1997, former Gov. Howard Dean appointed him as assistant judge for Chittenden County. Crowley was still serving on the Vermont State Police Advisory Commission at the time of his death, according to his obituary.
Shumlin said Crowley had a lasting impact on the Vermont Legislature.
“Tom Crowley was legendary around the Statehouse for his great sense of humor, his commitment to the Senate Transportation Committee, and his determination to use his public service to solve real problems for Vermonters,” Shumlin said in a statement.
Crowley graduated from St. Michael’s College in 1956 and served in the U.S. Army and Air National Guard for eight years.
According to his obituary, he also served on many boards and committees including Fanny Allen Hospital Development, Burlington Police Commission, Champlain Valley Crime Stoppers and the Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
One of his favorite pastimes was being with friends at the Rotisserie, The Pour House, and the St. John’s Club, according to his obituary. He also spent many years boating on Lake Champlain with his family.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Burlington.
