Shrewsbury – Melbourne C. “Mel” Crouse, 97, of Shrewsbury, MA, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, July 20, 2022.
Born on March 21, 1925 in the fishing village of Crescent Beach, Nova Scotia, Canada to Hattie (Harriet Publicover) Crouse and Raymond Crouse.
Melbourne was pre-deceased by his wife Alice (Anderson) Crouse, son Clifford Crouse, and brother Lowell Crouse. He is survived by his children Raymond Crouse and wife Diane of Shrewsbury, Doran Crouse and his wife Nancy Fillers, of Magnolia, DE, David Crouse of No. Grafton and his partner Cindy Ide, of So. Grafton, Dana Crouse of Shrewsbury and his partner Honor Seaver of Grafton, Ellen Richard and her husband Michael of Millbury, Alison Galati and her husband Vito of Rowley, and daughter-in-law Lena Heavey and her husband Danny of Worcester. He also leaves behind his brother Warren Crouse and his wife Alice, of Somerville, ME. Melbourne has nine grandchildren: Tara Sullivan, Erin Demand, Heather Creelman, DJ Heavey, Cindy Thibodeau, Kevin Crouse, Terence Crouse, Nathan Crouse, Jillian Richard and 14 great-grandchildren.
A WWII veteran, Mel was a Navy Gunner’s Mate 3/c and operated landing craft in the Pacific campaign. He was a devoted and loyal American, and epitomized the “Greatest Generation.” When he returned home from the war, the love of his life, Alice, was there waiting for him. They married in 1946, built their life together and raised their family in Shrewsbury in the home he built by hand.
Mel worked 43 years in trucking for Western Express Company, Lombard Brothers Transportation Company and North Penn Transportation, growing his career from driver to General Manager. He belonged to the Worcester Terminal Managers Association and Teamsters Local 170.
A passionate and life-long sportsman, he was the owner of Crouse Custom Arms Inc., and an enthusiastic and dedicated educator. He was an active member and former president of both the North Grafton Fish, Game & Bird Club and The Worcester County League of Sportsman, as well as former director and life member of Gun Owners Action League (GOAL) and National Rifle Association (NRA). Mel loved the great outdoors and enjoyed the annual pilgrimage to northern Maine to hunt with his family members.
Mel was also a private pilot earning his license from Jennings Bro’s Air Service in North Grafton in 1946. He relished every aspect of flying and jumped at every opportunity to get back up in the air.
After his retirement from trucking Mel spent many years working with his friend Noel Hare and brother Lowell, chopping and selling firewood, enjoying coffee breaks and Swedish pastries made by his loving wife.
As the years marched on, Mel adored spending time with loved ones, and we were all blessed to be able to have time with him for his precious 97 years.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Worcester County League of Sportsmen’s Clubs, WCLSC, P.O. Box 766. West Boylston, MA 01583-0766 or to the North Grafton Fish, Game, and Bird Club Inc., P.O. Box 61, Grafton, MA 01519.
Relatives and friends are invited to pay respects on Tuesday July 26, 2022 from 4 – 7 PM at the BRITTON-SHREWSBURY FUNERAL HOME, 648 Main Street, Shrewsbury. His funeral will be held Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at 10 AM at the funeral home, and will be followed by his burial at Mountain View Cemetery in Shrewsbury.
