The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Joseph Crane

By

Stephentown – Joseph Crane, 81, of Cranston Hill Road, Stephentown, NY, died on Saturday, December 25, 2010, at Springside of Pittsfield, MA, after a long illness.
Born in New York City on May 3, 1929, he was the son of the late Charles and Sylvia Sipkin Crane. Joe was the loving husband of Dianne Tescher Crane, whom he married in Manhattan, NY, on December 26, 1954. They have been full time residents of Stephentown for the past three years after living in Arizona for the previous ten years. They have been a part of the Stephentown community since 1987.
A graduate of Brooklyn Technical High School, Joe received his BA and MA from New York University. He worked at Lafayette High School in Coney Island, Brooklyn, NY, before being drafted into the United States Army during the Korean War. After his honorable discharge, he worked for 35 years as a chemistry teacher at Syosset High School, Long Island, NY, and was a member of the NYS United Teachers. Joe was a professor for 12 years at Bard College at Simons Rock in Great Barrington, MA, retiring in 1999. He was a member of the prestigious Mensa International. He also wrote the New York State chemistry regents at Princeton University.
Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Dianne, his children, Rachel and husband Rick Finney of Stephentown, Chuck and his wife Katy Crane of Castleton and Julia and husband Robert Davis of Tucson, AZ, his grandchildren, Mallorie Finney and Keith Cross of Hoosick Falls, NY, Devin Finney of Langhorne, PA, Jacob and his wife Jessica Crane of Boston, MA, Casey Crane and Elliott of Becket, MA, and Boston and William Crane of Castleton, his great-grandchildren, Justin and Ryan Cross, his in-laws, the late Sheila and Bernie Zeisel of Brooklyn, NY, and Lucky and Jittaun Tescher of Carona, CA, his beloved companion, Meisha, and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. He is pre-deceased by his oldest grandson, Justin Finney, and his daughter, Barbara Crane.
Graveside services were held on Tuesday, December 28, at 11 am in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Route 22 & 43, Stephentown.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or to the charity of one’s choice. Arrangements are under the direction of the Hall & Higgins Funeral Home of Stephentown.