Glass Industry Visionary Ralph Emory Crawford Passes Away
Deerfield Beach, Fla. – Ralph Emory Crawford, founder of Crawford Glass Corporation (now Crawford-Tracey) passed away on Wednesday, December 3, 2014. Crawford was recognized as a leader in the glass industry and noted for his work on developing impact-resistant glazing systems and water infiltration systems for hurricane zoned buildings.
A life-long resident of Florida, Crawford made a career of protecting people and property in the region he loved so much. He is best known in the industry for creating the first impact-resistant, four-sided structurally glazed curtain wall system, offering a superior method of constructing a water-tight, uninterrupted wall of glass. He also helped lead the industry toward the use of unitized curtain wall fabrication and installation, which allows for significantly higher quality control and faster building enclosure. In 1984, Crawford Glass Corporation and Tracey Engineered Products merged to create what is now Crawford-Tracey Corporation, one of the leading commercial glazing contractors and manufacturers in the country. Crawford built his business based on quality, service and innovation, which continues today under the leadership of his son Ray Crawford.
“My father was a visionary with high values and high standards. His continued devotion to working with the industry and code authorities to establish and raise the standards for the glass and glazing industry has helped raise the bar and generate the performance and impact codes in effect today. It has been my upbringing and mission to continue the legacy and have our company continue to be the leader and set the standards.”
Crawford is survived by his wife Nina, four children, and grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.
The Barbara Falowski Funeral Home is hosting an online page for those who wish to send condolences. A viewing will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, December 6th at the First United Methodist Church, 101 SE 3rd Avenue, in Ft. Lauderdale. A service follows and burial will be at Lauderdale Memorial Park Cemetery.
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About Crawford-Tracey Corporation – Founded in 1956, Crawford-Tracey Corporation has become the largest glazing contractor and manufacturer based in the state of Florida, the company offers a complete line of impact and non impact-resistant window and door products. Crawford-Tracey designs, manufactures and installs all of its products. Crawford-Tracey developed, tested and installed the first impact-resistant, four-sided, structurally glazed system in the United States and continues to offer high-performance products to meet specific project needs. Crawford-Tracey’s corporate headquarters is located in Deerfield Beach, Fla., with a second facility in Jacksonville, Fla. For additional information on Crawford-Tracey products and services, visit www.crawfordtracey.com, or call 954-698-6888.
