Obituary of John Spencer Crane

John Spencer Crane (79) of Syracuse, NY passed away on September 28, 2023. Born in Binghamton, NY October 27, 1943, the fifth of eventually eight children, John lived as a child in Ithaca, NY and Cortland, NY, where he graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1962. He studied for the priesthood at Resurrection College in Kitchener, Ontario and St. Bernard’s Seminary in Rochester, NY. After leaving the seminary, he earned his BS at Lemoyne College in Syracuse, NY. On August 2, 1969, he married Lucy Mae Stewart (Middleton). Together they operated Crane Lab Animal Blood Center for many years. Subsequently they lived in Maryland and Pennsylvania before returning to Syracuse. 

He was predeceased by his parents George I. Crane and Doris Spencer Crane, brother George Crane, Jr. and sister Patricia Crane Nesti.

He is survived by his wife, Lucy Crane and their children: Rudolph Middleton, Jr., Glenn Middleton, Anthony (Cynthia) Middleton, Patricia Middleton, Lamar Middleton, Sharon Middleton, Carolyn Simon, Denise (Nate) Brown, John C. Crane, and Joseph I. (LaKeesha) Crane, as well as many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings: Louise Crane Fowles, William (Dierdre) Crane, Thomas (Susan) Crane, Betsy Crane (Robert Heasley), and Peggi Crane (John) Vormwald.

John remained a devout Roman Catholic throughout his life. May he rest in peace. 

John’s family will host a Memorial Service at 3pm Thursday October 12, 2023 at Tindall Funeral Home, 1921 W Genesee Street, Syracuse, NY. Livestream of the service will begin at 3pm on Facebook.com/TindallFH