WAYNE HOWARD CROSBY

April 13, 1940 – January 8, 2024

Wayne Howard Crosby was born in East Cleveland (Cleveland Heights), OH, April 13, 1940.  When he was thirteen years old the family moved to Clarington, PA, near Cook Forest State Park where they built and operated a small family resort motel with cottages. 

He graduated from Brookville High School in 1957 – one of 17 in his graduating class and one of only 3 to go to college. Wayne graduated from Clarion State College (now Clarion State University) in 1963 and went on to receive an MS in Microbiology from Ohio University in 1966, paying his way as a teaching assistant and by odd jobs.  Wayne went on to receive a PhD in 1969 from Syracuse University in Molecular Biology/Bio Chemistry, which was sponsored by a National Institute of Health internship grant. 

After graduation, he joined the science research staff of General Foods Corp in Tarrytown, NY, where he started a new research program in Biotechnology of food-producing plants and was Manager of Strategic Technical Planning.  His research resulted in two US patents.  He also funded and managed a research program at Purdue University in Indiana. For his work, Wayne traveled to England, Holland, Singapore, and Indonesia for research & scientific conferences.  In 1983, General Foods was acquired by Phillip Morris.  The new management cut the research budget and eliminated many research positions.  At the end of thirteen years of research for General Foods, Wayne was outplaced along with many of his colleagues. 

Since his hobby was collecting antiques and visiting historic places, Wayne obtained a NY real estate salesperson license to provide some income while looking for another position in Biotechnology or Food Technology.  He joined DeChecchis Realty in Tarrytown.  Then, after three years of job searching and getting responses that he was overqualified for the research positions available, he realized the days of “Dr. Crosby” were over and that he would make his living in the real estate industry.  And so, he started his new life as a full-time real estate salesperson.  He enjoyed some very good years and met many interesting people.  In 1996, Wayne changed his affiliation to Houlihan/Lawrence in Irvington and worked there until most recently.

Wayne had a successful career of 30+ years in real estate, and was respected for his keen knowledge of the local real estate market.  He was known for his respect for his clients and colleagues and his low-key/effective negotiating skills.  He was a vital part of the Houlihan Lawrence team and the local real estate community.  Wayne also made his own real estate investments and was involved in a number of real estate partnerships with friends/associates.  

Wayne was very much his own person, a self-made man, coming from a humble home, yet attaining a PhD and having a successful career.  He was very intelligent and smart, and he accomplished much in his life.  Wayne was always a person with a big heart who deeply loved his mother, father and brother, Richard.  He was a true friend to all who knew him and a generous person willing to help someone in need.  He was special in that he rarely was angered and was always patient, polite and kind. Wayne was a devoted and faithful Christian who loved the Lord with all his heart.  He was a long-time member of the Irvington Presbyterian Church, serving many years on the Parish Session and singing in the Choir, as well as always helping with the Parish Attic sale.

In lieu of flowers, please remember Wayne with a donation to the Irvington Presbyterian Church at https://www.irvingtonpresbychurch.org/give/, or to the charity of your choice.

Visitation will be at Coffey Funeral Home, 91 North Broadway, Tarrytown, on Thursday, January 18th, from 3PM to 7PM.  Funeral Services will be conducted at Irvington Presbyterian Church on Saturday, January 20th, at 11:00 AM.  Entombment will be alongside his brother, Richard, at the Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens in Pompano Beach, FL.