Al Crary

Crary Al Crary, age 85, died peacefully at home on November 5th in the presence of his children. Survived by children, Beth (Kroll) Reed and Lloyd Crary; grandchildren, Eric Kroll and Amy (Michael) Baker; and great-grandchild, Joshua Baker. Al was born in Mpls in August 1918 and served in the Navy during WWII. Al worked at General Mills for many years as a tool designer. In Mpls, Al was known as the father of Southwest area hockey. He formed the first hockey team to play out of the Southwest area in 1934 and he played on the team. This team played in the Mpls Park Board's program and won the city's championship. Al went on to play hockey at West High School. In 1945 he organized the first Park Board team known as the Linden Hills Athletic Club; these were the first teams to represent a Southwest association in Mpls. This club merged with a similar organization at Pershing Park to become the Southwest Athletic Association (SWAC). He developed many fine hockey players who went on to play at the U of M and other colleges as well as playing for the United States Olympic and World hockey teams. Al served as one of the original officers of the Minnesota Amateur Hockey Association (a statewide association that promotes hockey beyond the Park Board level) and his name appears on its bylaws. He was also a founding member of the United States amateur Hockey Association. In 1965 to honor Al, the hockey parents of the Southwest area who wanted to commend and thank him for his dedication and unselfish interest, time and help to the hockey program initiated The Al Crary Most Valuable Player Award. Southwest High School annually gives this award to their most deserving hockey player. When Al moved from Linden Hills to the Armatage neighborhood he organized and helped form the Armatage Community Council. Al also found time to coach baseball and football teams and was the Commodore of the Midwest Power Boat Assoc. from 1962-1965. As a coach Al was a positive role model. He preached good sportsmanship, fair play, and 100% effort. He always encouraged everyone to get involved. Not wanting to have money stand in the way of kids being able to participate in sports, Al and Southwest area alumni set up a fund that is available to all kids wishing to play sports. The Al Crary Fund offers grants, not scholarships. Al fought valiantly over the past months to stay active and the people who he called his "angels" from Allina Hospice eased his struggle with cancer. Al's family is so grateful to Lisa, Sheila, Kath, and Karen. Visitation on Thursday, November 13 from 5-8 PM at Washburn-McReavy, 5000 W. 50th & Hwy 100 in Edina. Services will be on Friday, November 14 at 11 AM at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, 4201 Sheridan Ave S, Mpls. Interment will be at Ft. Snelling Cemetery following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to The Al Crary Fund or the American Cancer Society. Al always said that he was a billionaire when it came to the value of the memories and gratitude he has accumulated with time. Al, your family and friends say that we were the lucky ones because you were one in a billion! We'll miss you. Washburn-McReavy Edina Chapel 952-920-3996

Al Crary

November 9, 2003

Explore Obituaries &
Upcoming Services