Chandler Crosby, beloved son, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin and dog dad, died following an accident on Monday, July 26 in Boulder, Colo.
Chandler Crosby
He was 43.
Born March 11, 1978 in Morristown, N.J. to John and Eleanora Crosby, he was a light to his family, friends and all those that knew him through his professional life as a swim coach, yoga instructor and life teacher.
Big-hearted, soft-spoken and generous, with a warm smile, Chandler laughed easily and lit up rooms with his loving energy, never saying no to a person in need. He was adored by his cherished twin nieces, whom he loved to spoil.
A graceful and gifted athlete, Chandler was an All-American collegiate swimmer who loved to cook. He graduated from New Canaan High School in 1996 and, after attending Fordham University, earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Southern Connecticut State University. He worked as a swim coach in New Canaan and Westport YMCA programs, as well as Fairfield County Hunt Club summer swim team, then moved to New Haven and coached at SCSU and for Omni Swim Club at Yale. In recent years he qualified as a yogi and worked as a yoga instructor, moving to Colorado.
He was predeceased by his mother, Eleanora Maria Crosby, and German Shepherd-Chow Chow mix Aspen.
In addition to his father, John Crosby of Trumbull, he is survived by his sister Courtney Crosby Rafferty (Bob) of Trumbull, half-sisters Melissa Evans (Jed) of Morristown, N.J. and Amy Roy (Mark) of West Orange N.J., nieces Ella Norah and Emery Lynn Rafferty, rescued mutt Muku and many aunts, uncles, cousins and additional nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held in the future in Trumbull.
A Light of Love from a Beautiful Young Caring Family Man has Left Us..Chandler Was Always There to be Happy And Generous to His Family and Friends With Love!
He Mostly Missed His Mom Every Day So we are Blessed to know He is With Her Now but Watching Over All of Us Always ..Aunt Vickie Loves You!
You are so right! I don’t think there was ever a time we spoke when he didn’t mention his mom. He was the most generous person I’ve ever known.
So so sorry! He will be greatly missed!!so very sad! Praying for your whole family🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 This is devastating !!! Love and prayers, aunt judy
Chandler was my son Tyler’s swim coach and mentor. He was always there to help, advise and support during the early years as Tyler developed as a swimmer. More importantly, Chandler was a friend to Tyler during his tumultuous teen years. His voice was the only one to reach Tyler and guided him with love and kindness. Chandler’s passing was a shock to all who knew him and heartbreaking for Tyler. May you rest in peace Chandler we are praying for you your family and all the people you touched during your life . We all love you and will miss you ❤️
Chandler had the biggest heart out of anyone that I know. So kind and thoughtful! He loved yoga and his family! Praying for the family! I know he loved them so much! He will be missed! Lots of love Chandler!
My love & sympathy r with u John & ur family.
This is devastating! Chandler and I coached Orca Swim Team at Italian Center. Children adored him. He was very creative swim coach. The swimming community will miss him greatly.
Love you Chandler, rest in peace.
John, I am so very sorry for the loss of your beloved son, Chandler. I remember him so vividly as the tow headed little boy, crossing the street to hang out with Carly and Jimmy. He grew into the warm, generous, loving man that captured everyone’s hearts, especially those of his twin nieces. Jim and I send you all our love! Our prayers go out to your family, especially Courtney. May he Rest In Peace.
I remember Chandler in a different light. Not as a swimmer but, as a travel soccer star. I played with him for many seasons of travel soccer when we were younger and he was a dominant force on the field. Rest in peace, we’ll miss you Chandler.
Chandler had a big impact on our yoga community and studio, Boulder Bikram Yoga, where he trained to teach yoga and donated countless hours for the betterment of our community. We love him dearly.
What a guy! My kids, now D1 swimmers thanks in great part to Chandler, wanted to make a tee shirt “Chandler is my handler” (the innocence of youth!). He will be missed!!🏊♂️ 🙏🏻💕🙏🏻💕 🏊♂️
Chandler was a caring teacher that worked at my school. He had such a heart for his students, colleagues, and friends. I feel blessed to have known him. His spirit shined bright and to be around him was a joy.
What a shocker! Just practiced with Chandler yesterday morning and had a nice conversation about his Yoga teaching. He loved that so much. He will be missed by all his friends at Boulder Bikram Yoga ❤️ 😢. We love you, Chandler.
What terrible news. I am praying for the repose of Chandler’s soul and the comfort of his family. Chandler was my yoga student in Denver. He always had a smile for me and a kind word before and after every class. During the shutdown and days of online yoga he was always in my class. Once he was visiting his sister and after the zoom class was over he introduced me to his sweet nieces. It was obvious that he was over the moon in love with them. Those girls were adorable and loved their uncle so so much. What a wonderful family!
I only just became friends with Chandler after he moved to Colorado. He shined his light soooo bright for everyone to bask in!! An amazing human being with the kindest and most generous spirit!! A gifted teacher and a beloved friend!!! You will be missed more than words can express. Love you friend <3 My deepest sympathies to your family.
Chandler was my son Jude’s swim coach at Omni and SCSU. Jude adored him. Chandler became a friend and always had time to talk about Jude’s swimming when I needed advice. God bless you Chandler. Praying for his family.
Kristen and Jude Davey
In our current unsettled world, Chandler was a shining light who epitomized what everyone should strive for in life. The impact he had and will continue to have on those he knew is evident in all of the comments. As a swim coach for my son, Chandler mentored, supported, advised, and had faith in the many talents of his swimmers in and out of the pool. His friendship to his athletes and their parents was priceless. I will miss our text exchanges and phone calls, which have continued through college swimming-always keeping track of when my son was swimming and how he did. Most of all, through the many challenges life throws at each of us, Chandler offered support and hope, for which I know my son, will be forever grateful.
Courtney,
I am so sorry for this devastating news about Chandler. I know that you both were so close and he was a wonderful uncle to your girls. May he rest in peace.
” To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die”
Sincerely, Marissa FitzGerald
Dear John, Courtney, and family,
Dave and I send you our condolences and prayers over the death of your beloved Chandler. What a terrible shock.
What sweet little boy Chandler was, kind to everyone even as a child. Rest in peace, dear Chandler.
With Love,
Dave and Bonnie Coe
We are part of his family We are so grateful to have known such a wonderful caring person He is the uncle of our 2 grand baby twins whom he just adored They were his life also they loved him so So to our now Angel Chandler be with your beautiful mom and know you will never ever be forgotten Your light will keep on shining We love you Chandler thank you for the privilege to have you in our lives love Bill and Marilyn R
Chandler has a very special place in our hearts. He was a swim coach to my youngest daughter, but was so much more than just a coach. Chandler had a bond with my daughter Angela that was special and meaningful. He coached her even when he left CT, sending her texts and calls of encouragement before big races. My daughter is the swimmer and person she is today because of Chandler’s love and guidance. He also formed a special bond with my older daughter, as they both shared a love for yoga. I personally formed a special bond when our moms were both in the same hospice at the same time. He was my friend, and he helped me through such difficult times, even as he was experiencing the same things. No words can describe how he has impacted me and my girls. We will always love Chandler and be thankful for him to have been a part of our lives. Thank you Chandler. We love you and will miss you dearly. ❤️
I knew him as a yoga student. He was one of those dudes who comes in a room and everyone’s mood changes for the better. So much energy and love. I’m sending most heartfelt and deep condolences to his family who I do not know. He left only good around him.