You touched us all with your enthusiasm, warmth, gregarious energy. Our enduring time at Portsmouth was something akin the bleak Middle Ages: dark, constrained,
CRIMMINS FUND SUCCESSFULLY ESTABLISHED
a prelude to greater things, a time of hope and expectation for future happiness and relevance. You represented the bright future we sought: an exotic figure who knew happiness and achievement. Someone who had produced a movie shown at the Cannes Film Festival, who drove Camaros, who eschewed ties, who tousled with his towheaded children! You may but have departed from the School, you have not left our collective memory of a person much loved. You represent the epitome of a Portsmouth graduate of highest integrity: compassionate, generous, tolerant, learned. Bless you, – Gregory Hornig ’68 • Even the most naive third formers, and I was certainly one of those, knew within days of our arrival that there was a gruff, warm-hearted angel floating around the campus who was always at the ready to lift up the downhearted, advise the confused, cheer on the enthusiasts and teach the uninitiated the glories and troubles of the ancient and medieval worlds. Bill Crimmins was at once thoroughly modern in his
On September 18, 2021, Acting Headmaster Matthew Walter announced the establishment of the William A. Crimmins ’48 Scholarship Fund for Arts, Athletics and Civilization in honor of one of Portsmouth’s most beloved teachers and coaches, and the last living link to the School’s founder, Dom Hugh Diman. Speaking to an overflow crowd in the hospitality tent above the Varsity football field just prior to the scrimmage against St. George’s, Mr. Walter said, “This Scholarship Fund has been established to honor Bill for his many contributions to Portsmouth as a student, teacher, coach, parent and benefactor.” Skirling bagpipes and several standing ovations from adoring former students greeted the announcement. “Uncle Billy” Crimmins, now 93, was on hand with members of his family to enjoy the proceedings, which included a video created by Peter Tovar ’72 showing Bill and key colleagues at various stages of his Portsmouth career – scholar, teacher, coach, mentor and friend. The new scholarship fund has already raised more than $500,000 towards its $1 million goal. Those interested in learn-
tastes in art and his commitment to social
ing more about, or contributing to the William A. Crimmins ’48
and racial justice, and man who resisted
Scholarship Fund are encouraged to contact Interim Director of
the corrosive acids of contemporary life
Advancement Patty Gibbons (pgibbons@portsmouthabbey.org) or Acting Headmaster Matt Walter (mwalter@portsmouthabbey. org) for complete details.
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