Robert Joseph Crane

Waterbury-- Robert Joseph Crane, 94, died on November 23, 2017 after a short illness.

He was born December 20, 1922 in Waterbury, son of John and Mary (Blodgett) Crane. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his beloved wife of 56 years Dorothy (Hamilton) Crane, his son, Robert T. Crane, his sisters, Mary Morrissey and Rita Barrett, and his brothers, Jack Crane and Hubert Crane.

A graduate of St. Joseph Seminary, he served in the U.S. Merchant Marine during World War II, a service which took him around the world, including Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and India. Following the Merchant Marine, he was reemployed into the U.S. Army, where he was a Criminal Investigation Division Officer in the Far East.

After returning to the U.S., he served as a detective in the Waterbury Police Department for 38 years. He belonged to the Waterbury Police Department Retiree Association, as well as the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post in Oakville.

An avid reader, gardener, and traveler, his principal priority was always his family.

He is survived by his daughter Donna Crane of New Hope, PA, his sons Stephen Crane of Enfield, and Mark (Joan) Crane of Watertown, five grandchildren: Robert E. Crane, Erin Crane, Kaitlin Crane, Christopher Donston, and Daniel Donston, and several nieces and nephews.


A Graveside Service will be held on Saturday, April 7, 2018 at 11AM at CT State Veteran’s Cemetery, 317 Bow Ln., Middletown. Alderson-Ford Funeral Home of Waterbury www.fordfh.com