We were sad to receive the news that Terry Crowley passed away on December 6th, 2023. From Terry’s obituary at Legacy.com:
“Terry’s community of friends and colleagues is wide and deep. Terry is described as a “first rate human being.” His kindness and generosity were unmatched. Terry will be remembered for his quick wit, dry sense of humor, and his unrequited love of Gopher Basketball. He leaves a legacy of love and commitment that will be held closely by all who knew him. Terry has many close friends dating back to the days of Edgcumbe Playground and through his years at Cretin H.S. When Terry was drafted into the United States Army in 1967, after stateside training, he was deployed to Vietnam in 1968. Upon his return, with the backdrop of the anti-war movement, he focused his drive and ambitions on defeating poverty, injustice and racism. Terry’s degree in Sociology from the U of M ignited his lifelong work to help others. Terry became Executive Director of Oneida Education Center, followed by holding the first Director of Development position at Metropolitan State University. In 1985 Terry launched a successful business designing and implementing fundraising campaigns for hundreds of nonprofit organizations throughout the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota. The positive impact of his work can still be seen today. Terry’s tireless commitment to nonprofits continued as he volunteered his expertise on several Boards of Directors. The family would like to thank the outstanding and compassionate staff at HealthPartners Cancer Center at Regions Hospital.”
Terry Crowley obituary, Legacy.com
Terry Was a Huge Part of Mano a Mano
“I remember the crisp October day when Terry Crowley reached into his pocket, pulled a $50 bill from his wallet, handed it to me and said – this is for Mano a Mano,” Segundo Velasquez recalls. “We had just completed our incorporation and hadn’t asked for this gift. Terry’s spontaneous generosity reflected much of what we loved and respected about him – his tireless commitment to creating a more just world and to helping others do the same.”
During the following years, Terry advised and helped mold our organization through its infancy and adolescence, until it grew to adulthood. He served on the Mano a Mano Board of Directors from 1995-2017. From Terry we learned the art of grant writing, of creating lasting connections with funders, and the life-changing experience of witnessing our work in Bolivia.
Terry traveled to Bolivia in 2003 to take part in work first-hand, along with his life partner Nancy White and other board members. He returned to St. Paul as a passionate advocate. We will miss his skillful, passionate advocacy, his unequaled sense of humor and his friendship.
