Fay Michael Crossley

Fay Michael Crossley passed away on June 13, 2026. He was born on March 10, 1940, in Gloversville, New York, to the late Daniel M. Crossley and Mona Lisa (Sparling) Crossley.

Fay graduated from Mayfield Central School in 1959 and, that same year, proudly enlisted in the United States Navy. He served his country with dedication for 22 years as a flight forecaster, stationed aboard three aircraft carriers and at various land bases throughout the United States, the Orient, and the Indian Ocean. He retired in May 1981 with the rank of Chief Petty Officer. Fay often shared that he truly enjoyed serving his country.

Fay was previously married to Mary (Vomaska) until 1977, and together they had three daughters. He later married Beverly (Gunter), and in 1986 he married his third wife, Donna (Dingman) Crossley. They shared many years together until her passing in April of this year.

He is survived by his daughters: Colleen Herrick of Oak Harbor, Washington, her husband Mark, and their sons Jon and Michael; Lisa Neidhardt of El Cajon, California, her children Jeremy (wife Kendra) and daughter Olivia; Nathan Hawkins (wife Sarah) and daughters Abbie and Caitlynn and sons Aiden, Lucas, and Logan; son Kyle; and daughter Valerie and her sons Alexander and Maxx; and Kobe Crossley of Tucson, Arizona, whose children include Kashmir (husband Ryan) and her son Eli; Alexis (husband Richard) and her step children Braydon and Allie; and Aaron “Mitch” Hegerle and his daughter Zoe.

Fay is also survived by his wife Donna’s daughters, Kirstin and Karyl, both of Gloversville, New York, who together have five children. He is further survived by an “adopted” daughter, Kimmy Sue Martin of Montana, all of whom were cherished members of his extended family.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Jack Crossley of Rome, New York, and Jack’s wife, Grace. He remained close to his three nieces and one nephew throughout his life.

After retiring from the Navy, Fay continued his education, earning an associate’s degree from Fulton-Montgomery Community College in New York, and attending one year of nursing school. In 1987, he began a second career with the National Weather Service, working in Patuxent River, Maryland; Cape Hatteras, North Carolina; Albany, New York; Salt Lake City, Utah; and Wakefield, Virginia. He retired from federal service in 2006.

In his retirement years, Fay remained active in Navy Weather Club efforts and enjoyed antiquing and operating an antique booth in Williamsburg, where he pursued his passion for history and collectibles.

In accordance with his wishes, there will be no memorial services. Fay will be cremated, and his ashes will be spread in a place he loved, where many special memories were created.