David Crowley, part of family behind Wachusett Mountain, dies at 69

David Crowley, who with his family ran Wachusett Mountain Ski Area for nearly a half-century, passed away early Wednesday.

He was diagnosed a few years ago with FTD/PSP, a rare degenerative neurological disease.

Crowley was 69.

He was instrumental in making Wachusett Mountain a ski destination, helping to shape the "Wa-Wa-chusett" advertising campaign and other marketing efforts.

"David was always the voice of reason in setting the right course for the mountain and always trusted his intuition about what was best for the business and the customers," reads a remembrance from Wachusett Mountain.

Crowley ran the mountain with sister Carolyn Stimpson and brother Jeff.

"The blend of his outgoing personality, humor, intelligence, kindness and keen business sense made him one-of-a kind and reinforced the major impact he had on his time and place in the industry," reads the mountain remembrance.

He lived in Princeton. His leaves his wife, Julie, and children David Jr., Lisbet, Trudy and Nate. Besides his sister and brother Jeff, he is also survived by brothers Ralph and Chris.