Our hearts here at Lake Taylor Transitional Care Hospital are heavy as we mark the passing of George C. Crawley, (1934-2016).
Mr. Crawley was a very dear friend of our hospital. On many levels, from his official capacity in the City of Norfolk and later as one of our staunchest advocates and volunteers, he was a significant influence in Lake Taylor’s evolution into the institution that it is today.
As Norfolk Assistant City Manager, Mr. Crawley was instrumental in helping to keep the doors to Lake Taylor open. We are grateful for his sustained support for the Hospital when critics doubted its role as viable healthcare facility. We appreciate his ability to convince others to update Lake Taylor’s mission to stay relevant with the times.
During 1987-88, the Norfolk City Council established a Citizens Task Force to help determine the Hospital’s path for the future and led to the establishment of the Hospital Authority of Norfolk.
From 1988, Lake Taylor City Hospital was no longer part of Norfolk’s governmental budget and the Authority was charged with oversight of the Hospital’s operations and financial results. Lake Taylor became an autonomous, self-standing organization, with a volunteer board of leading area citizens charged with financially strengthening the hospital.
It was through the vision of community leaders like Mr. Crawley that Lake Taylor was able to live up to its potential, but his influence was perhaps most keenly felt in the hallways and council chambers of City Hall.
On behalf of the staff, administration, volunteers, and board members of the Authority and the Foundation, we salute our friend, benefactor and champion – George C. Crawley. We also extend our sincere condolences to his loving wife, Cynthia and the entire Crawley family.
