Farmer, lifelong Quaker and environmentalist Malcolm P. Crooks died last weekend at the age of 96. He was well-known in Bucks County for his steadfast support for land preservation.
He was a founding member of the Honey Hollow and Aquetong Watershed associations, he served on the first Solebury Township Planning Commission, and on the Land Preservation Committee. He served on the boards of the Bucks County Conservation District, Bucks County Audubon Society and Bucks County Planning Commission.
“He touched so many lives with his work on conservation, stopping Route 202 from coming through the Honey Hollow valley, taking down the dam and restoring Aquetong Creek,” said Jim Searing, a former Solebury Township supervisor. “He built the Bucks County Conservation District into a highly respected organization, and, above all, was one of the major advocates and driver of the land preservation programs for Solebury and our region.
“This area would look completely different if not for his leadership.
Everyone who worked with him over the years was touched by his wisdom, kindness and forward thinking.”
MALCOLM P. CROOKS
Malcolm P. Crooks passed away on May 25, 2019 at the age of 96. He was a lifelong resident of Solebury Township.
He was predeceased by his parents, Forrest C. and Irene P. Crooks, and brother Corydon Crooks.
He is survived by wife Elaine M. Crooks, children Sylvia Dumas and husband Ed, Malcolm (Lee) Crooks and partner Tina Wise, Catherine (Kitty) Crooks and partner Michael Dooley, step-children Lora Cohen-Vogel and husband Dan, and Marianne Bender and husband Rob; grandchildren Merlin (Lars) Crooks and wife Leila, Laura Cheetham and husband Drew, Rylan Crooks and partner Andrea Bocchio, Jesse Crooks and wife Shannon, Daniel Crooks, Juliana Dumas, Jacob Dumas, Noah Cohen-Vogel, Sophia Correa, Benjamin Cohen-Vogel, seven-great grandchildren, two nieces and a nephew.
Malcolm appreciated and deeply enjoyed the environment and was dedicated to natural resource conservation in both his professional life and as a volunteer. He was a founding member of the Honey Hollow and Aquetong Watershed associations, served on the first Solebury Township Planning Commission, and helped preserve many farms in the township while serving on the Land Preservation Committee. He served on the boards of the Bucks County Conservation District, Bucks County Audubon Society and Bucks County Planning Commission.
A lifelong Quaker, Malcolm was a member of Solebury Friends Meeting.
From 1963 to 1965 he lived in Algeria with his family and led an international team of Quakers, helping the Algerian people recover following their independence from France.
Malcolm and his wife broadened their understanding of world cultures by traveling to some 22 countries following his retirement in 1988.
However, he never truly retired. He operated the Tuckamony Christmas Tree Farm for over 50 years, and continued his work with land preservation and watershed management in Solebury Township. He and his family gifted the historic home, barn and acreage on Tuckamony Farm to Heritage Conservancy.
Malcolm was an inspiration to many generations who will carry forward his devotion to land and water conservation. He will be missed and remembered for his mindfulness, positive spirit and infectious smile.
Burial will be private. A Celebration of Life will be held at Solebury Friends Meeting, 2680 Sugan Road, New Hope Pa. 18938 on July 13, 11 a.m.
Donations in his memory can be made to Solebury Friends Meeting, PO Box 263, Solebury PA 18963 or the Malcolm P. Crooks Scholarship Fund, Aquetong Watershed Association, PO Box 504, New Hope, PA 18938.
