John Bernard Crane
Born In: Sydney Mines
Born: November 27th, 1922
Passed in: Margaree Forks
Passed on: November 23rd, 2015
Just four days before his 93rd birthday our wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather died at his home in Margaree Forks on Nov. 23, 2015.
Born in Sydney Mines on Nov. 27, 1922, Bernie was the son of the late James and Lydia (Brown) Crane.
A man of deep faith, he was a member of St. Patrick’s Parish, Margaree, where he served as extraordinary minister, and was a member of the parish choir. He was a former member of Immaculate Conception Parish, Sydney Mines.
Bernie owned and operated a family grocery business on Convent Street, Sydney Mines for more than 40 years. He was well-loved and appreciated by all his customers. In the late seventies he closed his business and was one of the people instrumental in setting up the Northside Visiting Homemakers, where he worked as director for several years until his retirement in 1987. He was involved in Municipal politics in Sydney Mines beginning in 1970. He was a councillor for Ward 3, and served as Deputy Mayor. He also served on the Northside Victoria School Board for many years.
Our father was the ultimate sportsman. Salmon fishing on the Margaree and hunting were his favourite pastimes, and many the Wednesday afternoons, when the store was closed, was spent pursuing these activities with his sons and fishing buddies. In his youth, Bernie played baseball for many seasons with the Sydney Mines Ramblers — one of only a few locals to play with the “imports." He was also an avid hockey player. Upon moving to Margaree to “retire,” Bernie was chairman of the Margaree Cooperative Board for several years, during which time a major expansion of the store took place. He was also a member of the MADA working toward building a better Margaree.
Bernie is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Jeanette Butts; his two daughters, Jeanne (Bob) Francis and Mary Alice (Scott) Denton; his six sons, Bernie (Laurolea), David, Basil (Brenda), Bill, Paul and Fred. Also surviving are 17 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; sister, Isabel MacNeil; and his sister-in-law, Kathleen Stubbert.
Besides his parents, Bernie was predeceased by brothers, Jim (Elizabeth), Fred (Agatha) and Arthur (Mary).
Visitation will be held Tuesday, Dec. 1, from 2-4 p.m. in St. Patrick’s Hall, Margaree. Mass of Christian burial will take place Wednesday at 11 a.m. in St. Patrick’s Church with Rev. Barrett Clare-Johnson officiating. The burial will be in the parish cemetery.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of J.M. Jobes Funeral Home, Sydney Mines.
Donations in Bernie’s memory may be made to the Palliative Care Society, Cheticamp.
Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to the family at www.jmjobesfuneralhome.com.
