Obituary of Stanley A. Cranker

Warrensburg: Stanley Andreas Cranker, 85, passed away at the Glens Falls Hospital on Wednesday, November 26, 2008. Stan was born in Fultonville on October 5, 1923. He was the son of the late William Arthur and Eva Irene (Andreas) Cranker. In 1942, he graduated from Fultonville High School where he had been a star athlete in baseball, basketball, and soccer. He went on to attend Ithaca College, majoring in physical education until 1943 when he joined the U.S. Navy. Stan became a radioman and served in the Pacific on the USS 370, participating in the Battle of Okinawa. After the service, he returned to Ithaca and resumed his studies, graduating in 1948. In 1947, he married Mary Athena Gray of Orrington, ME. Following graduation, he went to work for the New York Central Railroad (the same company that his father worked for) as a signal man and freight inspector until 1954 when he accepted a position as a physical education teacher at the Warrensburg Central School. Stan was a popular and winning coach with consistently excellent junior varsity basketball teams over the years. While continuing with his teaching and coaching, he began a small printing business that ran for many years, and was eventually taken over by his son, Jim. In the early 1950’s, he renewed his interest in radios and got his HAM radio license. His call letters were W2DJH and he spent years exchanging QSL cards with other enthusiasts all over the world. He participated in many HAM radio contests and was a long time member of the Weather Net. Stan never lost his love for being out on the water, and after moving to Warrensburg, he got his first in a series of sailboats. He loved taking friends and family out for a sail on summer weekends on lakes around the Adirondacks. At one time, he was an active member of the Corinthian Sailing Club and competed in sailing races on Lake George. From a very early age, Stan had a fascination for photography and began taking pictures with a simple Kodak Brownie as a youngster. During WWII, he continued the hobby and was given the unusual opportunity to take photos in China as well as other locations on the ship and around the Pacific. He went on to become an expert photographer roaming all of the back roads and byways of the Adirondacks, coming back with beautiful shots of the scenes that he had discovered. In later years, he began to have shows of his work and sold his photos at various art fairs around the region with great success. Some of his pictures were also published in Adirondack Mountain Club calendars and several magazines. Stan was also a gifted musician, blessed with the perfect pitch. He could pick up virtually any instrument and figure out how to play it. At eight years old, he took a year of banjo lessons but following that, he was self taught. As a teenager, he formed a band with his brother Art on the saxophone, and cousin Scott, on the piano. In later years, he continued to practice banjo, learning to pick five string bluegrass music, and had recently taken on teaching himself a new, claw hammer banjo playing technique. Stan loved the outdoors, spending many happy days hiking, snowshoeing, skiing, and camping all around the Adirondacks. In the 1980’s, he built a cabin, by hand with no power tools in the Deer Valley Club area. He will be remembered by many for his well honed sense of humor and the twinkle in his eye as he made a teasing remark. Stan was the beloved husband of Mary, wife of 61 years. He was the adored father of Bonnie; Bill and his wife, Connie; Jim and his wife, Joy. He was a treasured grandfather of ten, and great-grandfather of twelve. He is also survived by his aunts; Mildred (age 100) and Martha; brother; Arthur Cranker and his wife, Peggy Anne. He is predeceased by his cherished grandson, Forrest Benjamin Cranker. Friends may call on Stan’s family on Sunday, November 30, 2008, from 2-4 and 7-9 pm at the Alexander-Baker Funeral Home, 3809 Main St., Warrensburg. Funeral services will be conducted on Monday at 11 am at the funeral home with the Rev. Lucy Harris, Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, officiating. Burial will follow the funeral service in the Maple Avenue Cemetery, Fultonville at 2:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, Stewart Farrar St., Warrensburg. Please visit www.alexanderfuneralhomes.com for online guest book, condolences, and directions.