Fernando Dr. Crotte, Sr.

DR. FERNANDO CROTTE, SR. Dr. Fernando Crotte, Sr., 89, of Perrysburg passed away Wednesday, December 5, 2018 at St. Anne’s Hospital in Westerville, Ohio. Fernando was born August 27, 1929 in Mexico City, Mexico, to Alfonso Crotte Tovar and Maria Antonieta Zamora de Crotte. He earned his doctorate degree from UNAM School of Medicine in Mexico City, Mexico in 1953, and did his surgical residency in Alexandria, Virginia. After practicing a few years in Tlanepantla, Mexico, he moved to Toledo, Ohio, where he practiced general surgery until his retirement in 1991, at the age of 62. Fernando met Virginia Villanueva on April 23, 1949 at an American football game where he was the captain of Club Lobos de Aztlán (American Football). Fernando fell in love and married Virginia on June 11, 1954 in Mexico City, Mexico. 64 years of marriage, which had them moving residences to and from Mexico and the United States. They experienced countless special moments and events together, including a New Year's Eve in New York City with $60 in their pocket prior to having children, through to numerous family trips to the Caribbean, Mexico, and abroad, and including a medical mission trip to Peru, among so many other adventures. A bound life of shared moments filled with love. Along with his wife, Virginia, Fernando is survived by his children; Fernando (Gail) Crotte of Winston-Salem, NC, Eduardo (Eugenie) Crotte of Portage, MI and Alberto (Kirsten) Crotte of Westerville, OH, nine grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and a brother, Alfonso Crotte of Mexico City, Mexico. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his sister, Maria Antonieta Castañón. He loved to travel and immersed himself in the general history and culture of everywhere he visited. From snorkeling in the Caribbean to traveling throughout Europe, he was always interested in discovering a new fact, or revisiting history. Targets always included museums and architecture, with a focus on their place in World History or Culture - all of which was fully researched prior to arriving, and reviewed thoroughly after developing his many rolls of photographs once he returned home. His thirst for knowledge passed through Mesoamerican History and Art to the Mexican Colonial Period; and from Biblical History through to European History dating from the Renaissance period forward. Beyond his love of photography, was his love of carpentry, where he could combine his delicate surgical skills, with his interest in arts and culture. What started as an endeavor in furniture making, ended with pieces of art done in many different mediums. His immersion in learning a new craft, and going through the trial and error of making it his own, provided him hours of joy and personal accomplishment. Then came his love for theatre, movies (especially Cowboy movies), music, and sports. His expansive musical interests spanned from Rancheras and Boleros, to Big Band and Jazz, and through so many other sounds. As to sports, he had an early passion for racquet sports such as FronTennis, Squash, and Tennis, but also loved American Football. He played American Football in Mexico in the era where he would fold up and put his helmet in his back pocket, and continued his interest in today’s NFL and College football on TV. He loved to try to sing with his friends as the guitar was passed around the room, forever expounding “sigo siendo El Rey.” He found joy in his later life with his ever expanding family, with every new addition making him more proud. His progeny. His legacy. His heart was full of love for every one of them to the end. Friends will be received Sunday, December 9, 2018 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Witzler-Shank Funeral Home, 222 E. South Boundary Street, Perrysburg (419-874-3133), with a Vigil Service being held at 7:30 PM. Prayers will be recited in the funeral home, Monday, December 10, 2018 at 9:45 AM with a Funeral Mass beginning at 10:30 AM at St. John XXIII, 24250 Dixie Highway, Perrysburg, OH 43551 with Padre Herbert Weber, officiating. Memorial contributions may be made in Fernando’s name to Doctors Without Borders. The Funeral Service will be live streamed via the internet on Monday, December 10, 2018 at www.stjohn23.org.