Herbert H. Crandall

Crandall, Herbert H. SCOTIA Herbert H. Crandall, Sr., of Ballston Road, Scotia, N.Y., passed away peacefully at home, January 17, 2008. He was 89 years old. Herb was a lifelong resident of Scotia. In the early years he left school to help his family out financially by working as a sheet metal apprentice. Soon after he helped run his father's coal and ice business. When his father passed in 1943, Herb took over raising his three younger brothers. In 1945, Herb married "Peach" Rose Galkowicz, the love of his life, and they were together for 51 years until her death in 1996. Their first and only home was a former one room real estate office that Herb and his father relocated and then Peach and Herb transformed into a home. During his married life, Herb worked at several occupations, including delivering for Stone's Dairy, working as a night production and bottling manager for Quality Check Dairies in Clifton Park, being a school bus driver for Scotia-Glenville Schools, and working part time as a delivery person for Martinec Meat Packers of Scotia. One of Herb's proudest moments came in 1967 when he became a journeyman wireman for Local #166 of the I.B.E.W. in Schenectady. Until his retirement in 1991 at age 72, Herb truly enjoyed the comradeship he developed with his fellow tradesmen, electricians and contractors he worked for. Herb was a past member of the Schenectady Elks Club and Gunn-Ho-Ha Gun Club. He was a former league bowler, trout fisherman and wood craftsman. Area residents may remember him for the garden wishing wells, windmills and holiday lawn decorations he enjoyed making and selling as a hobby. Herb was a caring father and doting grandfather. His oldest grandson, Christopher, spent many summers staying at Pop-pa's house when he was young. When his granddaughter, Colleen, was born in 1996, Herb could be seen pushing her for hours in the baby swing that hung from his garage doorway. He would say he hoped to live to see his youngest grandson, Jason, attend his first day of school, which occured in 2004. Herb will be truly missed as a brother, father, grandfather and friend by all who knew him. Son of the late Frederick and Catherine Crandall; husband of the late "Peach" Rose B. Galkowicz, father of Herbert H. (Mary) Crandall, Jr. of Scotia and Deborah (Peter) Mannino of Monticello; grandfather of Christopher (Felicia) Streit of N.C., Colleen and Jason Crandall of Scotia; great-grandfather of Dimitri Streit of N.C. The family wishes to express their gratitude to Hospice of Schenectady, and home care givers Sandy, Cathy and Fran, who allowed Herb's wishes to be at home during his last two years, to be possible. Friends and family are welcome to attend a memorial service to commemorate Herb's life on Tuesday evening, January 22 at 6:45 p.m. at the Bekkering-Ellis Funeral Home. There will be a calling hour one hour prior to the service starting at 5:45 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking contributions be made in Herbert H. Crandall, Sr.'s name to The Community Hospice of Schenectady, 1411 Union Street, Schenectady, NY 12308, or to the Arthritis Foundation, 1717 Central Ave., Albany, NY 12205.