Exeter - Gary Steven Crane, 59, passed away as the result of an automobile accident due to weather conditions early on March 7, 2022 near his home in Exeter. He was born in Bangor, to Donna (Lyford) and Vernon R. Crane of Exeter on May 12, 1962.
He graduated from Dexter Regional High School and Eastern Maine Technical College. Gary worked on the Family Potato Farm before taking his master electrician skills to Brookfield Renewable Energy for 21 years. He remained in Exeter after marrying Brenda (Wheeler) Crane on August 20, 1988. Together they had two daughters, Lauren and Jenna, who were his whole world. Gary loved nothing more than attending all the girls' sporting events and activities and making sure they knew how to change their own oil and tires. He was so proud of them both for becoming Registered Nurses and living their lives in ordinance with the values their parents taught them.
Although having juvenile diabetes, it never prevented him from doing what he enjoyed. Gary loved the North American P51D Mustang planes and fulfilled his dream of flying ‘Crazy Horse II’ in Florida. He enjoyed working on cars, boating on Lake Wassookeag, and spending time with his family. Any activity he undertook was done with meticulous attention and care. Gary was known for his sense of humor, the twinkle in his eyes as he told a story or joke and his overall good-natured spirit.
He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Brenda (Wheeler) Crane of Exeter; two daughters, Lauren and significant other, Peter Leighton of Hancock, and Jenna and significant other, Kyle Forbes of Saco; his parents, Donna and Vernon Crane of Dexter and Nokomis, FL; two Brothers, Mike Crane and wife, Sue of Charleston, and Jim Crane and wife, Brenda of Exeter and Englewood, FL; one sister, Anne Marie and husband, Kevin Jordan of Dexter; loving sister-in-law, Bonnie (Wheeler) Martin of Bangor, sister-in-law, Wendi (Wheeler) and husband, Johnny Gwinn, brother-in-law, Jason Wheeler, and father-in-law, Jones Lee Wheeler, all of Mt. Ida, AR. He was the favorite uncle to many nieces and nephews. Gary is also survived by other members of the extended Crane Family, and many special friends and acquaintances.
He was predeceased by his paternal grandparents, George and Mildred Crane of Exeter; maternal grandparents, Edwin and Pauline Lyford, Jr. of Dover Foxcroft; family Friend, Fredrick T. Weston of Dover-Foxcroft; nephew, Michael A. Crane of Dexter; and his mother-in-law, Maxine (Eaton) Wheeler of Mt. Ida, AR.
Relatives and friends are welcome to call from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Friday, March 11, 2022 at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor. A funeral service will be held 1:00 p.m. Saturday, March 12, 2022 at the Cornerstone Baptist Church, 1195 Stetson Rd, Exeter with Pastor Stan Griffin, officiating. All are invited to share conversation and refreshments in the church fellowship hall immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers please consider donations to a favorite event of Gary’s organized by his brother, Jim: Wings for Wishes/Make a Wish Maine ℅ Samantha Elliot 66 Mussey Road Scarborough, ME 04074. Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Gary Crane, please visit our flower store.
He graduated from Dexter Regional High School and Eastern Maine Technical College. Gary worked on the Family Potato Farm before taking his master electrician skills to Brookfield Renewable Energy for 21 years. He remained in Exeter after marrying Brenda (Wheeler) Crane on August 20, 1988. Together they had two daughters, Lauren and Jenna, who were his whole world. Gary loved nothing more than attending all the girls' sporting events and activities and making sure they knew how to change their own oil and tires. He was so proud of them both for becoming Registered Nurses and living their lives in ordinance with the values their parents taught them.
Although having juvenile diabetes, it never prevented him from doing what he enjoyed. Gary loved the North American P51D Mustang planes and fulfilled his dream of flying ‘Crazy Horse II’ in Florida. He enjoyed working on cars, boating on Lake Wassookeag, and spending time with his family. Any activity he undertook was done with meticulous attention and care. Gary was known for his sense of humor, the twinkle in his eyes as he told a story or joke and his overall good-natured spirit.
He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Brenda (Wheeler) Crane of Exeter; two daughters, Lauren and significant other, Peter Leighton of Hancock, and Jenna and significant other, Kyle Forbes of Saco; his parents, Donna and Vernon Crane of Dexter and Nokomis, FL; two Brothers, Mike Crane and wife, Sue of Charleston, and Jim Crane and wife, Brenda of Exeter and Englewood, FL; one sister, Anne Marie and husband, Kevin Jordan of Dexter; loving sister-in-law, Bonnie (Wheeler) Martin of Bangor, sister-in-law, Wendi (Wheeler) and husband, Johnny Gwinn, brother-in-law, Jason Wheeler, and father-in-law, Jones Lee Wheeler, all of Mt. Ida, AR. He was the favorite uncle to many nieces and nephews. Gary is also survived by other members of the extended Crane Family, and many special friends and acquaintances.
He was predeceased by his paternal grandparents, George and Mildred Crane of Exeter; maternal grandparents, Edwin and Pauline Lyford, Jr. of Dover Foxcroft; family Friend, Fredrick T. Weston of Dover-Foxcroft; nephew, Michael A. Crane of Dexter; and his mother-in-law, Maxine (Eaton) Wheeler of Mt. Ida, AR.
Relatives and friends are welcome to call from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Friday, March 11, 2022 at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor. A funeral service will be held 1:00 p.m. Saturday, March 12, 2022 at the Cornerstone Baptist Church, 1195 Stetson Rd, Exeter with Pastor Stan Griffin, officiating. All are invited to share conversation and refreshments in the church fellowship hall immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers please consider donations to a favorite event of Gary’s organized by his brother, Jim: Wings for Wishes/Make a Wish Maine ℅ Samantha Elliot 66 Mussey Road Scarborough, ME 04074. Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com
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