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Gerald “Gary” H. Crabbe, age 70, passed peacefully on November 7, 2025. He was born May 16 1955, to Gerald and Elsie Crabbe. Beloved son and brother to Cathy (Tom), Lisa (Doug), Paul (Mika), Mary, and Anne and numerous nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews.
Gerald, known as Gary to family and friends, graduated from NIU School of Business, and worked at the CBOE during its heyday of boisterous open outcry and hand signal trading – shouts and hand signals flying in the air as brokers and phone clerks made split second trades. Even after retiring from the trading floor, Gary kept on studying the world of economics and the stock market with passion.
Gary was a tried-and-true Chicago native who enjoyed walks along Lake Michigan shoreline no matter what Chicago’s mother nature had in mind. He was a die-hard Chicago Cubs fan who rode the EL to Wrigley field during the season in hopes that this might be the year that the “Billy Goat” curse got broken. He was also a Chicago Bears fan that liked to cozy up with his pals at the local bar to cheer them on. Golf was probably one of his favorite past times. He loved to spending quality time with his dad playing a round of golf.
Gary was a loving and caring son and brother who we knew we could count on if the ship was sinking; who we knew would be the one to extend his hand and make sure that we got to safety.
Gary will be dearly missed, but we know that he is with our parents now having a glass of champagne toasting all the good times.
A Memorial Service will be held in the first part of 2026 and details will be made available to family and friends. Please contact one of Gary’s siblings for updates. https://www.donnellanfuneral.com/obituaries/Gary-Crabbe?obId=46754410
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George St. George
The Crabbes were our next-door neighbors for many years. Gary and his brother, Paul, would get together with me and my brothers (and sometimes, our sisters!) to play golf, play baseball, have late-night snacks at IHOP, go to Cubs games, and all the other sorts of chicanery young people engage in. When I trasnferred from Loyola to NTW, Gary was instrumental in helping me acclimate. (It's why I was in Mr. Funk's homeroom.) He had a used Karmann Ghia that he would use to take us to school. The defrosteer didn't work, so one of us had to keep wiping the windshield so he could see in cold weather!
Gary struggled with emotional issues (bipolar) later in life, but I'll always remember the gregarious young man he was.
Michael Stein
Gary, was a fantastic person that would never bring you down or question him. One of the nicest person's I met at NTW. A very soft individual.
Larry Funk (Faculty)
I hate it when I learn about the death of anyone that attended New Trier. It is especially difficult when I loose one of my advisees. Like most of my advissees, the last time I see them is at gradaution. Hate that, but believe that is what happens with most advisers.
I do remember Gary as a membr of one of my seven New Trier groups. Most just pass through New Trier with little, if any fanfare. Gary was rememberable as he was just one of the good guys. Never got into trouble and never the recipient of one of the daily delivery of low scholarsips.
Sorry that I did not learn of his death earlier, as I would have loved to have attended the service.
Larry Funk
George St. George
Gary's service hasn't occurred yet. I believe his family wants to do it around Easter. My brother and sister still live in the Chicago area and are more in touch with the Crabbes. When I hear something definite, I'll post it.
George St. George
Sorry I didn't get this up earlier. Gary's service was in early August. Due to conflicts, I wasn't able to make it, but my brother and sister were there, along with Gary's siblings. Good times were shared.