02/06/2020
Artist, collaborator, and friend to ¡BANG! gone too soon. Condolences to family and friends of Stephen Crowe. Next round of Jameson is on us, in your memory. You are missed.
FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS & OBITUARY FOR STEPHEN CROWE
Stephen William Crowe passed away on February 01, 2020. He was 46 years old.
A native of Kilbeggan Co. Westmeath, Ireland, Stephen was preceded in death by his mother Maureen.
He is survived by his father, Pat Crowe; brother, Martin Crowe, sister-in-law Eavan, niece Juno (3), nephew Ari (1.5); sister, Madeline; brother James Crowe, sister-in-law Caroline and nieces Shannon (25), Shauna (20); his partner Michelle White.
He is fondly remembered by his extended family and friends, the Irish community in San Francisco and New York and his Burning Man family.
Stephen left school when he was 16 years old and went to England to work. He also toured all over Ireland and England as a roadie for the Irish musical duo Foster & Allen. In the years after, Stephen would share many fond stories of his time on tour and enjoy reliving the innocent pranks he used to craft to provide humor and entertainment for the crew.
In September 1998, he emigrated to New York where he worked as a carpenter. Although he lived in America, he remained close to his Irish roots, living above the Irish Rover bar and watching Gaelic games and frequenting many other Irish pubs.
Stephen made his way to San Francisco in 2008, where he quickly became a good friend to many and well-known in the Irish scene. Stephen really embodied the true meaning of 'Meitheal', the meaning of community. He never said no, he was generous and always giving of his time and talents to help others.
Stephen's love for music and big sound made him a popular DJ for lots of social occasions and he volunteered for many community groups. He lived his life with amazing energy, always had a bounce in his step, and a smile on his face to brighten the day of anyone he'd meet.
In 2010, Stephen went to Burning Man with his good friend, Sean Briody. This inaugural trip to the desert ignited a new passion for Stephen. He was struck by the sense of community and wowed by the creativity of participants and the big art he saw. He was determined to get involved, and from then on Stephen devoted himself to Burning Man. He worked year-round on many projects including David Best Temples, Catacomb of Veils, The Tree of Ténéré, and Shamrock City.
In 2013, he co-founded the Celtic Chaos theme camp and built their infamous Irish castle. Stephen's dedication and passion were contagious and under his leadership, the camp quickly evolved into a global community and extended family to Stephen.
Stephen will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
All are invited to visit with his brother, Martin and friends at St. Philip's Catholic Church, 725 Diamond Street, San Francisco, on Thursday, February 06, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. followed by a
Funeral Mass at 7:00 p.m. Refreshments will follow after Mass in the parish hall.
Stephen Crowe was a colorful character. His friends encourage you to wear colors and flare rather than black attire to the service.
Following the Funeral Mass, friends and family will be gathering at Shannon Arms Irish Pub, 915 Taraval St, San Francisco, CA 94116, to raise a glass to Stephen.
Stephen will be repatriated back home to his family in Kilbeggan, Co. Westmeath. Reposing at his brother Martins’ home on Monday 10th February at Lissakelly, Ballinagore, postcode N91 CK00 from 2pm – 8pm.
Funeral Mass on Tuesday morning at 11am in St. James’ Church, Kilbeggan, (which can be live streamlined on Kilbeggan MCN Media), followed by private cremation at Lakelands Crematorium, Dublin Road, Cavan, County Cavan.
The family plan to have Stephen's ashes placed in two urns, one to be laid to rest in the family plot in Meedin, Ireland and the other to be returned to San Francisco for his Celtic Chaos & Burning Man family to lay to rest.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust (KBRT) (https://kevinbellrepatriationtrust.com/) in memory of Stephen Crowe. KBRT has kindly made the arrangements for Stephen's final journey back to Ireland.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
May he rest in peace
