Crabiel was always in Milltown's corner
BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer

MILLTOWN — Just as David B. Crabiel often referenced Middlesex County as "the greatest county in the land," he referred to his native borough as the "greatest town in the land."

Upon talking with fellow residents of the borough, it becomes clear that the late Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders director was not just giving lip service to the town.

"It was with deep sadness that we learned of the passing of our dear friend, David Crabiel," Milltown Democratic Organization Chairman Craig Corson said in a statement. "A living, breathing fixture within our town has now become a part of our borough's proud history."

Crabiel's death early Monday left some surprised, as he had emerged from a hospital stay last month seeming to be in better health. As so many prepare to pay their last respects to something of a hometown hero, the borough where the Crabiel family has enjoyed a long family legacy of service does the same.

Mayor Gloria Bradford shared memories dating back to childhood, when she and Crabiel were on opposing church softball teams. The sense of opposition then, and that which came later politically, did not hinder the friendship between Bradford, a Republican, and Crabiel, a Democrat.

"We were on different sides of the fence politically, but we worked together on projects that were important to us," Bradford said. "We fought the battles, but we were friends. We both agreed on one thing — that Milltown was very important to us."

Crabiel began his longtime service in town at the age of 16, when he became the youngest member of the Milltown Rescue Squad. He was elected councilman in 1960 and became mayor in 1967, serving for 11 years before moving on to the freeholders board, on which he served for 27 years.

According to Bradford, his dedication to serving the town did not end with his time on the borough governing body. Crabiel was involved in a multitude of projects and activities in town, and did his best to provide help from the county level when it was needed, she said.

Councilman John Collins agreed.

"He always helped the people in Milltown," Collins said. "He was an amazing man, a wonderful icon."

Collins recently proposed naming the future county park, at North Main Street and Route 1, after Crabiel. The council agreed, drafting a letter to county officials to request the dedication. Collins said his one regret is that Crabiel was not alive to see the park be named in his honor.

"It was a way to say thank you for all he's done for the town," Collins said. "[To] make his life better — like he's done for the town."

Bradford agreed, saying Crabiel spearheaded efforts to bring a county park to the borough.

Collins, who said he is a distant relative of Crabiel's, cited various open space projects on which Crabiel had worked throughout the borough, including on both Ford and Washington avenues.

"That improves the quality of life in Milltown," he said. "And we should thank the man for his service to the public."

Corson praised Crabiel's numerous contributions to the community and the county, highlighting both his leadership qualities as a public servant and his attributes as a human being.

"He gave us strength in time of trouble, wisdom in time of uncertainty, and sharing in time of happiness," Corson stated. "He will always be by our side, spurring us on to do more, and challenging us to be better. Loyalty, trust and strength of character are qualities never easily described, but for those of us who served with Dave, and who now struggle with the raw emotion raised by his passing, he was all of those things. He loved life completely and he lived it intensely. His was a meaningful life devoted to the service of others."

Crabiel's funeral services were expected to draw tremendous numbers of mourners this week. For the funeral Mass, scheduled for this morning, Bradford said officials were preparing to have buses run from the Home Depot parking lot to St. Paul's Church, to help deal with traffic issues. County officers and the North Brunswick police force were to help the borough's department with the services, and East Brunswick donated the use of buses.

"He was always there when the town needed him," Bradford said. "He never lost his Milltown roots — never."