Donald E. Crandall Sr.

02/05/2005

Donald E. Crandall Sr., 79, of 12 Monterey Road died Saturday at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield after a brief illness. He was a former chairman of the School Committee. Born in Waterbury, Conn., on July 24, 1925, son of Earl and Edith Hotchkiss Crandall, he attended Farmington (Conn.) High School until enlisting in the Navy. He later received his diploma and graduated from Hillyer College in Hartford, Conn. A veteran of World War II, he served from 1943 until 1946 and was a crewman on a naval patrol plane. Mr. Crandall was a surveying engineer for the Metropolitan District Commission based in Hartford until retiring in 1987. He was a member of Otis Congregational Church for more than 50 years, and a member of more than 49 years of the Volunteer Fire Department. He was integral the establishment of the town's Ambulance Squad and, after retiring, was executive director. He also was a member and past master of Cincinnatus Lodge AF&AM in Great Barrington. He and his wife, the former Martha M. Bliven, were married in August 1948. Besides his wife, he leaves a son, Donald E. Crandall Jr. of Winsted, Conn.; three daughters, Susan C. Dillard of Otis, Martha C. Savard of Compton, N.H., and Irene C. Kavcak of Wind Gap, Pa.; two brothers, Robert Crandall of Prospect, Conn., and Edwin Crandall of Leesburg, Fla.; a sister, Ellen Crandall of Mount Dora, Fla.; 10 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. FUNERAL NOTICE -- Donald E. Crandall Sr. died Feb. 5, 2005. At the family's request, there will be no calling hours. A graveside service will be held at the family's discretion in the spring in Otis Cemetery. Donations to the Donald E. Crandall Sr. Scholarship Fund in care of the Otis Ambulance Squad, Main Street, Otis, MA. KELLY FUNERAL HOME in Lee is in charge of arrangements. He leaves his grandchildren Wendy Preston, Tracey Steady, Joshua DeSantis, Julie Lewis, Charles Steady, Autumn DeSantis, Matthew Kavcak, Erica Crandall, Sarah and James Kavcak; great-grandchildren Faith Middlebrook and Jack Lewis; sons-in-law, the Rev. Thomas A. Dillard, Arthur H. Savard and Joseph M. Kavcak; and a daughter-in-law, Jane Crandall. He was predeceased by a brother, Lorn Crandall.

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