Obituary of Lincoln S. Crichlow

Lincoln Sylvester Crichlow was born on July 20, 1923 in Brooklyn, NY to Martin and Miriam Crichlow. He grew up in Harlem until he was almost eight years old when he moved with his family to his parents’ homeland of Barbados, where he spent the remainder of his childhood. He lost his father when he was only 9½ and his mother when he was 25. While growing up in Barbados, he became an apprentice mechanic due to his fascination with automobiles. He eventually became a heavy-duty diesel mechanic. Lincoln returned to the USA during World War II, and joined the army in 1945. In the army, Lincoln served as a clerk. He said that it was in the army that he really learned how to be a good mechanic and the science behind how an automobile works. This was the foundation for the success of the rest of his career. At the General Motors Truck Center in New York City, Lincoln worked his way up to being the sales engineer, having taken engineering courses through General Motors Institute. Lincoln remained active after he retired from GM in 1985, working with various companies. In fact, he was doing mechanical work full time until around his 77th birthday. This highlights his amazing physical condition. One of Lincoln’s greatest joys was the fellowship he enjoyed in the Masonic brotherhood. He joined Alpha Lodge in East Orange, New Jersey and was raised as a Master Mason on May 27, 1970. He was also a founding member of Allied Lodge No 1170. He remained faithful to the craft until his death as an active member and past Master of his beloved Allied Lodge in New York, receiving his 32 degree in the Ancient Scottish Rite, and becoming a Right Worshipful Mason on November 2, 1987, when he became the Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of New Jersey. Lincoln was very athletic, and was a big sports fan, enjoying cricket, baseball, football and golf. He was a founding member of the Empire Cricket Club in which he played as a bowler. He also had an amazing intellect. Lincoln could find his way to anywhere from anywhere with his tremendous sense of geographical orientation, and was a very talented mathematician. Likewise, Lincoln was always very concerned about his children’s education. He always put his family ahead of himself. He exhibited a great deal of resilience and hard work throughout his life, and was always able to reach out to help others – even when he was in difficult circumstances. During his life, he faced many challenges. He lost his parents early, endured financial hardships, and survived cancer when he was in his early 70s, living cancer-free for the last 15 years of his life. Unfortunately, he lived the last several years of his life with Alzheimer’s disease. He spent his last years in Arlington, VA, where he passed away on April 7, 2011 at the age of 87, after suffering a stroke. Lincoln leaves behind his wife, Cyrilene Crichlow of Arlington, VA; his three children, David Crichlow of Upper Montclair, NJ, Cyrillene Clark of Arlington, VA and Gregg Crichlow of Wallingford, CT; four grandchildren, D. Andrew Crichlow, Jr, Joelle Crichlow, Christian Clark and Celeste Clark; his sister, Gwendolyn Crichlow of Port St. Lucie, Florida; his niece, Marilyn Holliman and nephew, Anthony Davis; and a number of other relatives and friends. Lincoln Crichlow will be greatly missed. A memorial service will be held on April 30, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at The Presbyterian Church of White Plains. 39 North Broadway White Plains, NY 10601 Phone: 914.761.8585 http://wppresby.org/