Gregory A. Crnkovich, 64, of Lancaster died on Wednesday, April 23, 2014 after an extended illness. Born in Lancaster on February 22, 1950 he was the son of the late Leo R. and Geraldine (Burger) Crnkovich. He attended Saint Anthony of Padua School, where he served as an altar boy, attaining the rank of Grand Knight of the Altar. He graduated from Lancaster Catholic High School in 1968 and attended the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia, where he majored in painting and received his certificate of completion in 1973. On March 15, 1975, he married fellow artist Margaret Otis. Dedicated to their artist's studies, the couple made a three-month tour of the great European museums in 1975.

Lancastrians of the city and county will remember him as "Greg the Chimney Sweep," the business he started, owned and operated for thirty years. His most abiding interest, however, lay in art and especially in drawing, painting and sculpting. He was a consummate practitioner in the impressionist style, and over the years exhibited in Lancaster, Philadelphia and the mid-Atlantic area. For over two decades he was the organizer and director of the figure drawing studio sessions held weekly at Franklin and Marshall College. He was also known locally for his mural paintings. Greg had an intense love of music, was an accomplished amateur classical guitarist, sang throughout his life in various choirs and was a founding member of the local Catholic "Te Deum Laudamus" Gregorian Chant Choir.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Regina, a sister, Theresa Broich and her husband Charles, a brother Michael and his wife Joan, and a brother Philip, all of Lancaster; a brother, Leo and his wife Deborah of Ephrata; a brother, Denis and his wife Kathy of Mankato, Minnesota; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Robert and Anthony.

A Requiem Mass in the traditional Catholic Latin rite will be sung at Saint Anthony of Padua Church, 501 E. Orange St., Lancaster, PA 17602 on Monday, April 28, 2014 at 11AM, the Reverend Daniel Richards officiating. Burial will follow at Saint Anthony's parish cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in Greg's memory to the St. Vincent DePaul Society in care of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church at the above address or St. Joseph Catholic Church, 440 St. Joseph St., Lancaster, PA 17603.