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John Ehrlich, a Chappaqua resident whose community presence has included volunteering with the local Rotary club, read a statement about Crabtree at the New Castle Town Board's meeting on Monday, Dec. 15.
“He wasn’t born in Chappaqua but he made the life of everyone who lived in Chappaqua since 1981 better," Ehrlich said.
A past president of the Chappaqua Rotary, Ehrlich noted Crabtree's role in letting the organizations at his restaurant, Crabtree's Kittle House.
“He and his son, John made our Monday meetings at Kittle House possible.”
Ehrlich also recalled Crabtree's professional life, which included the 1981 purchase of the Kittle House and a subsequent renovation of it. This background, according to Ehrlich, included helping to establish dealerships for the Ford Motor Company -- they were meant for the failed Edsel brand but survived the product flop -- and in working as an executive for Citibank. Ehrlich also noted Crabtree's service in the Coast Guard.
On its Facebook page, Crabtree's Kittle House noted the loss.
"The passing of a Legend," the statement began. The responded was met with numerous condolences from commenters.
Crabtree's funeral is scheduled for Saturday at 9:45 a.m. at St. Patrick's Church in Bedford Village.
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