Gerald F. Crane, 71
GREAT BARRINGTON — Gerald F. Crane, 71, of 398 North Plain Road, Housatonic, died Sunday, June 29, 2008, at home.
Born in Great Barrington on June 9, 1937, son of Kenneth H. and Renee A Hograindleur Crane, he attended local schools.
He served with the Navy during the Vietnam War.
Mr. Crane was employed as a welder for the fromer Clark-Aiken Co., retiring from its successor, ECH Will Manufacturing Co., in Lee in 1992 after 35 years of service.
He was a member of the James A. Modolo VFW Post 8348 and a member of the original team of Dick Larkin Racing Team 39. He was a small-engine repairman and loved NASCAR racing.
He leaves a son, William Crane, of Sweethome, Ore.; two daughters, Darlene Kern of Pittsfield and Patricia Boyd of Fort Myers, Fla.; a sister, Andree Penn of Huntington; his longtime companion, Nancy Crossley of Great Barrington; his former wife, Patricia M. Newman Keefner of Great Barrington, and three grandchildren, Cody and Jasmine Kern and Molly Boyd.
FUNERAL NOTICE — A graveside funeral service with military honors for Gerald F. Crane will be conducted on Wednesday, July 2, at 11 in Elmwood Cemetery, Great Barrington, with the Rev. Charles VanAusdall, officiating.
Family will receive friends at a calling hour preceding the funeral on Wednesday from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. at Birches-Roy Funeral Home.
Expressions of sympathy in Mr. Crane's memory may be made to the Longevity Foundation or to the Pittsfield Department of Veterans Affairs in care of the funeral home, 33 South St., Great Barrington, MA 01230.