Earl D. Cranson

SCHENECTADY — Earl D. Cranson,"Crannie", 96, Quaker Street, at rest Sunday November 1, 2009, at his home. Born in Three Mile Bay, N.Y. Earl was the son of the late Asa and Jane Smith Cranson.

Earl's work life was varied. During WWII he served in the Army Air Corps. After receiving his Master's Degree he worked as a teacher and principal. He and his wife Gwyneth operated Cranson's Market in Quaker Street from 1954 to 1968. He was also Postmaster of the Quaker Street Post Office until retiring from this position in 1977. He was a member of the Delanson United Methodist Church and was a Mason. He was a Scoutmaster of Troop 35 in Stanfordville, N.Y.

His almost 97 year journey took him from Three Mile Bay through the Grenadier and Galloo Islands where as a boy he lived on family farms. In his 96th year was able to return by boat to his boyhood homes on the Lake Ontario Islands. Also, this past summer he traveled to Lake George and enjoyed a boat cruise and fireworks. He always took a break from his long journey to "enjoy a little baseball", especially the New York Yankees.

Earl was the beloved husband of the late Gwyneth M. Cranson, who died April 18, 1988; beloved father of the late Douglas P. Cranson who died April 25, 2007; brother of the late Robert, Asa and Lyman Cranson, Doris Wiley, Hazel Green, and Martha Tait. He is survived by several nieces and nephews, including his niece Evelyn Biber who lived with Earl since the death of his son Douglas.

Calling hours will be held Tuesday, November 3, from 2 to 5 pm at the White-Van Buren Funeral Home, 1779 Main Street, Delanson, N.Y. A funeral service will be held Wednesday November 4, at 10am at the funeral home. He will be buried in the Townsend Cemetery, Stittville, N.Y.

Contributions in Earl's memory may be made to Community Hospice of Schenectady, 1411 Union St., Schenectady, N.Y. 12308 or the Duanesburg Volunteer Ambulance Corp, 130 Cole Rd., Delanson, N.Y. 12053.