John Crew died suddenly at the age of 65 on October 7 in San Francisco, where he lived. He was a passionate champion of justice and a third-generation native of California. His family has had a presence in Pacific Palisades since the mid 1950s.
He attended Palisades Elementary, Paul Revere Junior High and Palisades High School, graduating in 1975. At Pali, he served as co-captain of the 1974 football team that played in the LA City Final. He graduated from Northwestern University, earned a law degree from UC Hastings in San Francisco and became a member of the California Bar.
John’s interest in justice and legal rights was kindled as a teen. By the time he was a law student interning in San Francisco for the ACLU of Northern California, he had taken the bit fully in his mouth and was developing the skills, networks and strategies that would lead to four decades of significant accomplishments, primarily in the field of police accountability and reform. Since his death, Bay Area print and online media outlets have well detailed John’s professional career and recorded the many superlatives of his appreciative colleagues.
When not working, John devoured an array of newspapers, attended Giants baseball games, explored his broad music tastes, bicycled, traveled and nurtured the growth of his family in his own up-beat, hands-on style. He will be remembered and missed for his sharp intellect, a patient willingness to help others, a fun sense of humor, dogged persistence, strong moral compass and an open, generous outlook.
John, who was predeceased by his wife, Sheila Gadsden, is survived by his daughters, Simone Crew and Erica Crew, as well as four brothers who grew up in the Palisades, Herb Crew, Dick Crew, Don Crew and Steve Beckwith, and extended family.
A memorial took place in San Francisco on October 20.
This page is available to subscribers. Click here to sign in or get access.
