Joseph Anthony Crova

Joseph Anthony “Joey” Crova died peacefully on the morning of August 5. He was 20 years old.

Joey was a vibrant, adventuresome young man who was happiest when fishing or tubing behind his godmother Aunt Buba’s boat on Big Twin Lake in northern lower Michigan. Friends knew Joey for his exuberant smile and readiness to try anything, so long as it was fun. He doted on his mother, Kimi, only occasionally driving her nuts, and was best pals with his dad, Joe, his favorite golf partner. Just last week, Joey told his dad how impressed he was with how his game had improved.

A 2019 graduate of Detroit Catholic Central High School, Joey loved his friends from Our Lady of Good Counsel, CC, and Saginaw Valley State University, as well as snowboarding, the Detroit Pistons, rugby, lacrosse, and music ranging from country to rap. He had the time of his life this summer at the Faster Horses music festival. He adored his grandmother’s pizza pasta, his mother’s corn beef and cabbage, and spaghetti and guacamole. And Joey would never say no to Buffalo Wild Wings. Whenever Joey came into the family home in Plymouth, he called out for Bubbers, his name for his beloved labradoodle, Stanley.

Joey also had a nickname for brother Ben, four years younger: Gub. They had a special relationship. Joey was especially proud of Ben making the varsity high school lacrosse team. A driving rain didn’t stop Joey from attending one of Ben’s recent games in shorts and a T-shirt. They loved to talk about Detroit sports news.

Joey worked for a small company that sealed decks, cleaned windows, and performed other home improvement projects. He enjoyed it so much that he began dreaming of starting his own business.

Joey was deeply concerned about one of Ben’s close friends who is battling cancer. Joey’s family asks that any donations in his honor be made to help the family with medical expenses. Checks should be made out to cash in support of #SeanStrong and given to the funeral home or Joey’s family.

In addition to his parents and brother, Joey is survived by his grandparents, John “Nono” and Sharon “Mams” Crova of Romulus; and numerous cousins, aunts, and uncles.

The family welcomes you to a visitation from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday with a Rosary at 7 p.m. at Schrader-Howell Funeral Home, 280 S. Main Street, Plymouth, MI.

A funeral Mass will begin at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Saint Kenneth Catholic Community Church, 14951 North Haggerty Road, Plymouth, MI.