Crinzell Davis

Crinzel was born in Peachland, North Carolina on March 5, 1937. Crinzel was the second of three sons of Madgalene Polk and Cleo Davis. After a few short years in North Carolina, the family moved to Brooklyn, New York. In May 1956 at the age of 21, Crinzel enlisted in the Army where he served 2 years. Almost a year after he returned from service in 1959, he married his wife Evelyn. Soon thereafter they started their family, welcoming children – Chris, Carolyn, Dennis, Robin and Renee. Crinzel and Evelyn remained married for 65 years until his death.

Crinzel enjoyed spending time with his siblings, extended family and friends. He enjoyed helping plan family reunions in New York and North Carolina as well as taking long trips across country with the family. Additionally, he enjoyed entertaining and having barbeques at the family home in Brooklyn, and making time for regular family visitors.

Crinzel spent most of his career working for Welsbach Electric as an electrical construction and maintenance technician. He was a hard worker and believed in doing things correctly. If something was not right, he would take it apart and figure it out; this was part of his work ethic. Crinzel was always involved in some DIY project. He and his brothers were involved in building new single-family homes in New Jersey as well as helping others with their home projects. He and his wife had a knack for growing all sorts of things. When he was able, he took pride in having one of best lawns on the block, and took delight in annually making good wine from his brother’s backyard vineyard.

Crinzel loved sports. He would often retell stories about playing handball and stickball in the neighborhood or walking over to Ebbets Field as a kid and climbing the fence to watch his favorite team at the time The Brooklyn Dodgers and favorite player Jackie Robinson. Crinzel’s love for the sport inspired him and a few close friends to start up their own softball league – the Brooklyn Independent Softball Association which lasted almost 2 decades, until the late 90’s.

It wasn’t until the late 90’s that Crinzel would take his bible studies with Jehovah’s Witnesses more seriously. He later decided to symbolize his dedication to Jehovah God by getting baptized on August 7, 1999. Crinzel believed in the wonderful promises from the Bible. He looked forward to the many blessing that came from those promises. In recent years due to illness, his decline became more apparent and on Thursday, June 13, 2024 Crinzel passed away in death. Crinzel is survived by his wife Evelyn, children Chris, Carolyn, Dennis, Robin, Renee; Siblings Debra Evans (Lenny), Darryl Deshong and Lenny Davis; grandchildren Justin, Kijafa, Chelsea, Sophia (Aras), Gabrielle; Great grandson Justin; sister in law Brenda Davis, and a whole host of nieces, nephews, in-laws and dear friends.

Crinzel was preceded in death by his mother Magdeline Polk, father Cleo Davis Sr., brothers Cleo Davis Jr. (Arlene Davis), Clarence Davis, sister Ella Radcliff (Bennie Radcliff)