Patrick J. “Pat” Crossen

Crossen, Patrick J. “Pat” of Weymouth, formerly a longtime resident of Hingham, passed away February 13, 2022, surrounded by family, following a 14-month battle with Glioblastoma. He was 62.  

Pat was born in Boston and raised in Hyde Park where lifelong friendships were forged. He was a graduate of B.C. High and Boston State College, later earning his Master’s in Criminal Justice at Ana Maria College. He had a 38-year career with the Boston Police Department, rising from Cadet to Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, and Deputy Superintendent. He had roles in numerous divisions throughout his tenure including the Bureau of Field Services and SWAT Team/Special Operations.  He was a recipient of several commendations for outstanding and selfless service in the line of duty including entering a burning building to assist in the evacuation of residents, and a George L. Hanna Medal of Valor for subduing a shotgun-wielding suspect in a home invasion. A dedicated learner, Pat regularly sought out and successfully completed advance training opportunities from such places as the FBI National Academy, FEMA, Harvard Leadership Program, New England School of Law, and the University of Virginia, covering everything from Hostage rescue, Terrorism, WMD & hazardous materials response, Bomb squad, Suicide prevention, Secret Service dignitary protection, Underwater investigation, and others too numerous to list.

Pat retired in January 2018, whereupon he fulfilled a dream of living at sea. He obtained his Coast Guard Captain’s license and set off cruising the Atlantic and Bahamas with his wife on their 46’ trawler yacht named “Journey.” Pat and Michele originally met at the beach on a certain Spring Break trip years ago – possibly the spark for this city kid’s love for the ocean! Michele was a land-toiling gardener, but she enthusiastically supported Pat’s dream and thoroughly treasured their ocean journeys together, becoming a very capable first mate along the way! They had 3 years of that incredibly special time a-sea before the unexpected cancer diagnosis brought them back to port.  

In addition to boating, Pat enjoyed reading, listening to country music, watching the New England Patriots, and the simple joys of being with family and vacationing with friends. Some notable trips included the Italian Alps, Galapagos Islands and white water rafting on the Colorado River.  He especially valued conversations with his children, offering gentle guidance when they sought his advice. So trusted was his counsel that many of his kids’ friends were also known to “go ask Patty C” when they had life issues. At bigger and more boisterous gatherings, Pat could often be found sitting in a further corner, quietly observing with a bemused expression, or sometimes escaping to the kitchen where he’d methodically handwash all the dishes till the mayhem subsided. 

Throughout his medical ordeal, Pat maintained a positivity that was quite remarkable. He never wallowed in “Why me?” To the contrary, in his classic humble way, he shrugged and said, “Why not me?”  He felt a genuine gratitude for the life he’d had, and throughout all the tests, treatments and surgeries, whenever he was asked how he was doing, Pat always smiled and replied, “Never Better!” 

Beyond his naturally sweet disposition and professional training for maintaining calm in a crisis, the main reason Pat was able to endure his terminal diagnosis with such grace, was the loving care doted on him by his family. From expert medical support by daughter Emily, a pediatric oncology-trained nurse who moved in with her parents, to joyful daughter Abbie who “danced” with Pat, lying next to him as she sang his favorite songs, to youngest daughter Tory who shared all her exciting wedding plans giving Pat comfort to see the new life she was embarking on, to his pride and joy, eldest son, Zachary, who gave Pat the awesome experience of becoming a grandfather with the birth of Zach’s son, Tucker Patrick Crossen, last year. Most of all, it was Michele’s determination to make every remaining day a good one, keeping her own fears and sadness at bay so Pat could have peace and contentment up to his final breath.

Pat is survived by his dear wife of 36 years, Michele M. (DiTullio) Crossen of Weymouth, and by his parents, John and Barbara Crossen of Walpole.  Pat was devoted father of Zachary Crossen and his wife Jennifer of W. Roxbury, Emily Crossen of Weymouth, Abigail Crossen of Medford and Victoria Crossen and her fiancé Conner MacKay of Weymouth. Dear brother of Michael Crossen and his wife Judith of Medford, Janice Feeney and her husband Joseph of Hingham, Jacqueline Arnpriester and her husband Michael of North Weymouth and the late Paul Crossen and his wife Nancy of Canton. Cherished “Papa Paddy” to his grandson Tucker Crossen. Pat is also survived by many much-loved nieces, nephews, cousins and brothers and sisters-in-law.

Relatives and friends are invited to greet the family during visiting hours on Friday, February 18, from 4-7 PM at the McDonald Keohane Funeral Home SOUTH WEYMOUTH at 809 Main Street (Rte 18 opp. So. Shore Hospital). A Celebration of Life church service will be held on Friday, March 4, at 10:30am at Old South Union Church, 25 Columbian St. South Weymouth. 

In lieu of flowers, consideration may be given to making a memorial donation in Pat’s name in support of Brain Cancer Research via the Mass General Cancer Center under Dr. Jorg Dietrich. Donations by check would be made payable to MGH, sent c/o Heidi Bergmeyer, MGH Development Office, 125 Nashua St, Suite 540, Boston, MA 02114, or online at https://giving.massgeneral.org/donate/.  Click “Make a Tribute Gift” and include Patrick Crossen’s name.