Robert H. Crane

It is with a great deal of sadness that we announce the passing of Robert H. Crane, age 76, of Wayne, NJ.

Robert passed away peacefully on Monday, July 10, 2023 while receiving the loving care of his family. Robert was born in Passaic and raised in Paterson. He was the only child to Harold and Sydney Crane. At the age of twelve, Robert and his family moved to Wayne. Those who were closest to Robert and knew him best affectionally refer to him as “Bob.” 

After moving to Wayne, Bob attended St Mary’s High School in Paterson where he was extremely social and made life-long friends. Friends, who till this day, still get together twice a year. Following his high school graduation with the class of 1964, Bob attended St Francis College in Loretto, PA where he studied Commerce. Bob graduated from St Francis College in 1968 earning his bachelor’s degree. Instead of joining the workforce, Bob instead felt he should serve his country and enlisted in the United States Navy. While in the US Navy, he was stationed on the USS San Diego, which at the time was a brand-new ship making Bob a “Plank Owner.” On the ship’s maiden voyage, it crossed through the Panama Canal, becoming a part of the US Atlantic Fleet. Bob served honorably and proudly in the United States Navy from 1968 until 1972.

Bob found work quickly after being honorably discharged from the Navy. He accepted a position in sales at Garden State Brickface in Roselle, NJ where he was employed for several years. Bob left Garden State Brickface for another position in sales at Kane Screens in Kane, PA. Bob then worked for Atas International where he sold building and construction materials. He worked at Atas International for about eight years until his retirement in 2011. 

In 1968, after graduating from college, Bob was introduced to a young, attractive girl named Suzanne Waters by a friend of his from St Mary's High School. Bob gave Suzanne a call and the couple went out on a date. As fate would have it, they fell in love and were married on July 19, 1969 at St Mary’s Abbey in Morristown, NJ. Being that Bob was still in the Navy at the time, the newlyweds settled in Norfolk, VA near the Naval base. While residing in Norfolk, Bob and Suzanne welcomed the births of their first two children, Sean and Kimberly. The family then moved to Wayne following Bob’s discharge from the Navy where they welcomed their next two children, Kristin and Jonathan. Bob and Suzanne have called Wayne their home ever since. 

Bob was a Scout Master for Boy Scout Troop 127 of Wayne for many years where he trained many Eagle Scouts. He was a member of the Riverview Garden Club, the American Model Association, and Construction Specification Institute (CSI). 

Those who knew Bob best would consider him to be a “serial hobbyist” with a creative spirit. Bob had his hand in many different crafts, activities, and interests. Bob was not the type of person to take any interest lightly. Whatever he did, he worked tenaciously at it. He enjoyed building and flying model airplanes, RC cars, gardening, kite flying, archery, quilling, and photography. He built a model of the famous Jane’s Carousel under the Brooklyn Bridge which was featured in an edition of ScrollSaw Magazine. He also designed, created, and cut his own jigsaw puzzles out of wood. 

Bob’s hobbies were more than a leisurely activity, he was so engrossed in his interests, he wrote and published articles about them in various magazines. He was truly an “influencer” before the days of Instagram and TikTok. With respect to his magazine articles, companies would send him various products for Bob to use, review, and write about. Bob was also quite an accomplished cook and was famous by his family and friends for his Hot Pepper Flakes which he made from scratch.

Aside from all of Bob’s hobbies, interests, and talents, his greatest passion was for his family. Nothing in the world meant more to Bob than providing for, and spending time with his children and grandchildren. He relished in his family vacations, camping trips, or just dancing in the living room. He and his wife Suzanne cherished 53 years of loving and loyal marriage. Bob was also a spiritual man and was a parishioner of Our Lady of the Valley RC Church in Wayne with his family. 

Bob was a charming man, a gentleman, and the kind of person that could talk to anyone about anything. When someone needed help with something, he was glad to lend a hand. It was always certain that the people Bob was helping were going to learn something from him. Bob was blessed with a gift in being able to convey information to people and teach them. He also had the ability to captivate an audience of any age with his stories and explanations. 

Bob will be forever remembered as a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He was truly a special person who touched the lives of everyone around him and will be missed by his family and friends. 

Robert is survived by his wife Suzanne (nee Waters) of Wayne, his four children; Sean Crane and his wife Janet of Westfield, NJ, Kim Hammermueller and her husband Kurt of Califon, NJ, Kristin Crane and her husband David Hansen of Providence, RI, and Jonathan Crane of Wayne, NJ, three grandchildren; Kayla Hammermueller, Aidan Crane, and Remington Crane. 

In lieu of flowers, donations to Wayne Township Memorial First Aide Squad would be greatly appreciated. www.waynefirstaid.com/donate.php