BREAKING NEWS

Newport Beach philanthropist John Crean died today of congestive heart failure. He was 81.

Crean became an entrepreneur who founded Fleetwood Enterprises, which at one time was the world’s largest manufacturer of motor homes, said Barbara Venezia, one of Crean’s closest friends.

Crean, who had little formal education, served on the Orange County Fair board for nearly a decade, he hosted 228 episodes of a popular cable TV cooking show with Venezia, and he made his Newport Beach home available for a variety of charity events.

Crean and his wife, Donna, were active philanthropists who gave to organizations, including the Laguna Beach Boys and Girls Club and Chapman University, and the new Mariner’s library in Newport Beach was named for them because of a major donation.