David Peter Crabtree

David Peter Crabtree, age 92, passed away peacefully on June 16, 2026 in Lakewood New Jersey.

“Crabs “was born on February 8, 1934 in Syracuse, New York to Henry Lincoln and Mary Jane Zahnle Crabtree.

David graduated from Fayetteville High School and was a veteran who served in the United States Air Force from 1950 through 1952.

He worked as a police officer and school bus driver in Dewitt New York before going to work on the Erie Lackawanna Railroad and then becoming a Conrail police officer and investigator for over 30 years.

He was a volunteer fireman for the DeWitt Fire Department for many years serving as chief for two years.

He cherished the many friends he made through his years with the Fire Department and was particularly proud of his work on their antique fire truck.

He is survived by his wife, Pat, children Dennis (Debbie), Debbie (Kevin) Casselmon, and Caitlin Brickey, sister Cindy (Ev) Griffith as well as 10 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. David was preceded in death by his first wife, Lois Passmore Crabtree and his sister Sally Day.

Burial at Woodlawn Cemetery in Syracuse will be private.

Services are entrusted to Jersey Shore Cremation Service, 43 Taylor Avenue, Manasquan, NJ - JerseyShoreCremation.com