Robert L. Crowley

Robert "Bob" L. Crowley, 84 of 40 Dart Drive, Ithaca, passed away peacefully on November 15 at Hospicare. The son of Margaret (O'Connell) and Alfred Crowley, Bob was a lifetime Ithaca resident.

Bob was a 1948 graduate of Ithaca High School, and 1953 graduate of Niagara University. After working at NYSEG, in 1963 he took over the family liquor store, founded in 1941 by his parents, and moved it to the new Triphammer Shopping Plaza. Bob owned and operated Triphammer Wines & Spirits for 50 years, continuously growing the business, and was joined by his daughter Julie in 2002. A pioneer in the growing wine business in the 60's and 70's, Bob brought in wines from around the world and was a big supporter of Finger Lakes wines. He will be remembered as the heart and soul of the business, as he did it all - from ordering to stocking to running the registers. He was known to be social and enjoyed chatting with customers. He will be fondly remembered by his staff, customers and contacts in the industry who worked with him for many years.


Bob was a devoted family man who enjoyed spending time with his wife Pat and their four children, whether boating on Cayuga Lake, vacationing on Keuka Lake, skiing at Greek Peak or getting up before dawn to take his kids to hockey practice. He enjoyed a good (feisty) game of Euchre any time of year. Let's just say his playing partners were stronger people for the experience. Bob was a member of St Catherine's Catholic Church, the Country Club of Ithaca, The Ithaca Elk's Club and Fire House #5.


His sense of humor was evident and he liked to joke that he survived the Battle of Denver (during the Korean War), when he spent a year of service in the U.S. Air Force. He was an avid, frustrated golfer for many years and regrettably not always kind to his clubs. On at least one occasion, a playing partner showed up wearing a hard hat.

In the last twenty years, Bob and Pat enjoyed a winter home in Jensen Beach, FL and traveling. More recently, Bob proved his love and dedication as the care-taker of Pat as she suffered with Alzheimer's disease. He is remembered as a man of strong character, morals and courage.


The family would like to acknowledge the loving support of the staff from Bridges Cornell Heights and the nursing care he received from Hospicare, both of which enabled him to live comfortably at home for most of his illness.

Bob is survived by his three daughters, Julie Crowley (Lisa Kerslake) of Ithaca, NY, Sheila Crowley of Alexandria, VA, Karen Crowley of Needham MA; son, Robert "Bobby" L. Crowley, Jr. (Donna) of Las Vegas, NV; grandchildren, Nicholas, Tyler, Louis and Kyra Randazzo of Needham, MA and Rylee, Kayla and Piper Crowley of Las Vegas, NV and sisters Helen Crowley Fanning, Horseheads, NY and Margaret "Peg" Crowley, Rochester, NY, and favorite goddaughter Ellen Lynch.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Patricia (Murphy) Crowley, Ithaca, NY, and brother, John Crowley, of Wilmington, NC.

A Mass of The Resurrection will be held 11am Monday, November 25th at St. Catherine of Siena Church, 302 St. Catherine Circle, Ithaca, NY. Contributions can be made in Bob's name to Hospicare, 172 E King Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850. Bangs Funeral Home is assisting the family.